Showing posts with label cosmetics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cosmetics. Show all posts

12.10.2010

Friday Favorites



This is a true gold colored eyeshadow. Which may or may not sound intimidating to you - just looking at it was pretty intimidating to me, but I tried it out not too long ago and I love it! I've been using it on my lid and then a darker brown, gold color in my crease (which I talked about here) just about every day. 

If applied with a light hand, this combo works well for daily wear. It's also a great color for transitioning into an evening look, and just perfect for the holidays in general. This is also a versatile color to purchase as shimmering golds are perfect for summer time. If you are more of a MAC guru, I believe Flip and Amber Lights are very similar. The Loreal HIP colors probably have a nice quality gold as well. 

Love, love, love this color!

12.03.2010

Friday Favorites: November Favorites


1. Smashbox Blush Rush in Passion This is definitely my favorite blush at the moment. It is a true pink, it's matte, and it is blendable. You can use a light hand for a soft, light application or you can really build the product up for a bright pink cheek. This is definitely going to be my go-to blush throughout the winter.

2. Rimmel Intense Wear Lipstick in Airy Fairy I purchased this a while ago and I am only now getting into regularly wearing it. This seems to happen a lot with me and makeup and clothes. Anyway, I had heard a lot of rave about this color and decided since it was inexpensive I would give it a go. This is a soft pink lipstick. Again, a perfect product for the winter months as it is a soft, light, and has a romantic feel to it. 

3. Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Smog UD eyeshadows are my favorite. They are good quality and there is such a variety of colors available. I've probably talked about Smog before - it was the first color I'd ever tried from UD and I've loved it ever since. It's a brownish-gold color and it's perfect for packing on the lip, blending into the crease, and lining the lash lines. So it's a super versatile color which is what most of your eyeshadow colors should be. 

4. Say Yes to Carrots Lip Butter in Melon The cold months of fall and winter are now upon us and I don't know about you, but this means my lips are going to get chapped. It happens every year. My go-to solution this winter is this lip butter. It's so smooth and smells delicious, plus it works really well. It's also organic which is pretty awesome in my book. It's available at any drug store.

5. Mac Mineralized Skinfinish Natural I like using pressed powder to set my foundation. It helps to keep it lasting throughout the day and give a more natural, airbrushed look. I really like Mac's MSF line; however, when I run out I'll probably buy a cheaper pressed powder. I feel like there are certain beauty products you should splurge on and others that drug store brands are just as good - and pressed powder is one that it's all kind of the same. 

6. Stila One Step Foundation I have been using this foundation almost everyday since getting it. It claims to be a primer, concealer, foundation, and powder all in one and it may be, but I haven't tried that out. I need to just wear this stuff one day, but I always just go ahead and put on my primer and concealer first and then top it all with powder. Either way it's fantastic. It offers full coverage and goes on so nicely. It is extremely pricey, but in my defense, I ordered it from a wholesale website and got it for less than half ($17!). There's also a lot of product in the package - I've been using it everyday and still have over 3/4 left! Love this stuff!

11.19.2010

Friday Favorites




Today's Friday Favorite was easy. Earlier this week I tired, for the first time, using this gel eyeliner on my waterline. I usually use a smooth-gliding pencil for my waterline and they all fail. By the time I am out the door, the liner is at least half way off and looks horrible. Not this. This stuff... was on until I washed my face later that night. I was shocked and excited.

I've never been able to find a product that stays on my waterline. And, just for the record, I don't cake on the eyeliner. I use very little liner on the lash line and the waterline during the day (and sometimes a little more at night for the dramatics), but however much I use, I want it to stay put.

I also love this stuff because it's relatively easy to apply. Granted, I required a bit of practice as this was only the second liner I've used that isn't a stick or felt-tip application. Once you get the hang of it though, it's nothing. And it's worth learning, because (again) this stuff is great.

Let's talk the price. It will set you back $15 - which may seem like a lot or may not seem like a lot depending what you already use. The price is worth it. This stuff last a super-duper long time, it doesn't dry out, and it does its job. Three great reasons $15 is worth it. I will continue to buy this - perhaps even in other colors too.

You will need an angled eye-liner brush to apply this if you do not already have one.

So that is that:

1. It stays on your lash line and waterline all day long.
2. It's fairly easy to apply (just practice if you need).
3. The price is worth what you get and how long it lasts.

Any questions...

11.12.2010

Friday Favorites


{via}

{it's not in stock right now on Sephora or Ulta, but try actually going in the stores or other places online like Amazon}


I've written on this palette before, but it has never been featured as a favorite, and it most definitely is - especially since I have been using it almost every day since it came in the mail back in September. This palette is most definitely a bit pricey, it will put you back $44 (ask for it for Christmas!), but it is well worth the price - let me explain.

The palette is comprised of 12 full-sized eye shadow colors. Full-sized UD eye shadow pots are $17. If you buy three solo pots, you've already spent past the $44. The palette features some of UD's most coveted colors as well as some new colors that you can't buy individually. The colors in the palette range from light highlighting colors to dark smoky colors. In the palette you will see colors such as white, tan, brown, gold, rose, plum, black, and blue (check out the picture). I've swatched a few of the colors before. Something I personally love about UD eyeshadows is that not only are the colorss gorgeous, but they are highly pigmented. Which means one sweep with your brush does the trick, and the colors will last you longer when you aren't having to constantly build the color on your eye. As if getting 12 full-sized colors wasn't enough, you also receive a mini UD Eye shadow Primer Potion (which is a favorite of mine) and a double-ended 24/7 Glide-On Pencil which features Whiskey (brown) and Zero (black) - I'm not a huge fan of pencil liners, but this one is great! Very smooth and perfect for waterlines.

The versatility of the palette allows you to create a natural looking eye, a brown smokey eye, a blue smokey eye, or anything else you can think of with these colors. Since fall rolled around, I've been using Toasted (shimmery rose) on my lid and Hustle (a dark plum) on my crease - it's a great fall combination. With all the possible combinations this palette has to offer, it's perfect for traveling. If you are going on a weekend trip or somewhere for just a couple days, this palette is perfect. You only have to keep up with one piece for your eye color and you can create just about any look you would want. There's no opening and closing little pots of eye shadow or digging around your makeup bag for the color you are looking for.

I feel like I've written a ton, but it's just such a favorite of mine. (And I'm not getting paid to say any of this - I just am in love with the palette). UD eye shadows are definitely a favorite of mine since the very first time I tried them. My first color was Smog - a goldish-brown - and it's front and center in the palette.

If you are curious about the palette, just go to your local Sephora, Ulta, or UD counter and play with it. But I'm warning you, you may fall in love.

11.02.2010

October Favorites


I apologize in advanced that half of these favorites are lip products. 

I found this lip stick on clearance a while back for $9. It's a beautiful color. A burnt orange almost - which sounds weird for putting on your lips, but it works. It's really a great color for Fall. This lipstick lasts as well. Which is always a plus. 

I've spoken on this line of lip stick before, but I've only recently purchased this color - and I love it! It's a shade of red, but definitely has the undertones of peach and even pink. It's bright and gorgeous without being overly red - which I love a bright red just as much as the next person, but sometimes a subtle red is more appropriate. 

I'd been eyeballin' this lipgloss for a while and mom bought it for me on my birthday last month. There are several great features to this gloss. It's long lasting and the color pay off is great - definitely better than most glosses. It also contains Maxi-Lip which is a plumper, but it's non-irritant, which means it doesn't sting like other lip plumpers. Which is awesome. Naked is a pinky neutral. It taste good (vanilla mint!) and lasts forever. 

Now, I haven't technically purchased this, but I have been using a couple samples that I was given through Sephora purchases and it's one of my most favorite scents. (Maybe I'll share my very favorite scent this Friday!) This is a very feminine, soft, and fresh scent. The description says it's a combination of roses and amber. I'm sure it's a little more than that, but whatever the combination is, it works! I love this stuff! 

5. Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss ($7 or 2/$12 or 5/$20)
I like this gloss mostly for it's flavor, although, it does do a great job at glossifying. I have two flavors, Passion Fruit Pop and Juiced Berry - both delicious. There are 21 flavors to choose from, and I'm sure they are equally delicious. 

Another birthday gift from mom. I'd been wanting this blush for a while. It's considered a "cult" favorite and loved by all. It's a peachy pink with golden shimmer. It's almost exactly like the Lorac Blush I mentioned in September Favorites, but the shimmer in Lorac is cooler, with silver highlights instead, but the peachy pink color is the same. I love them both, though. This color is universally flattering. It highlights and warms up the face. It's perfect. 

7. Lush Sexy Peel Soap ($5.95 for 3.5 oz)
I love Lush. I want everything in the store, but that's not possible. This particular soap is what I am digging right now. It's citrus scent is so delicious and takes over your entire shower. All of the products at Lush are handmade and natural. Sexy Peel is made of organic lemon, lime, and orange peels which help to exfoliate while washing and also made up of orange juice. It's especially nice to use in the morning, but I love it any time of day. Another soap I really like is the Bohemian Soap - it's made with lemon oils and smells oh, so fresh. 

I've been using this concealer almost every day since I purchased it over a month ago and haven't even made a dent in it. A tiny bit goes a long way and offers full coverage. This stuff works miracles and I can't really see myself buying any other concealer any time soon. I love it. A tiny bit fully covers under my eyes, discolorations on my cheeks, and any redness around the bottom of my nose. It you are interested in trying or purchasing this stuff, definitely go by a counter and have someone help find your correct color - that's what makes the difference. 

Hope you all enjoyed these favorites!

10.29.2010

Friday Favorites


MAC and Disney's Venomous Villains Collection

This collection was released late September/early October and I jumped on it. Most likely because of Cruella de Vil and the Evil Queen and Maleficent - what can I say, I'm a Disney baby? 

 Now I didn't purchase all this collection had to offer, although I would have liked to, I only walked away with four items - and I love all of them. And they were all things I didn't necessarily have already as far as makeup. There are a couple other items I would have liked to gone back and purchase, but I didn't. What I do have and love is as follows:

Her Own Devices Beauty Powder
This color is great for just a light dusting of rose blush. Even with a hard hand, the power goes on lightly. 

My Dark Magic Mineralized Eye Shadow Duo
This eyeshadow is awesome for several reasons: It's a duo and iridescent. And it can be used as a shadow (dry) or liner (wet). And when you wet the product, the colors are so much more intense. Love it!

Vainglourious Eye Shadow
This color is great because you can really pack in on and make it true to the color you see below, or you can apply it softly and blend it out into a really pretty light rose/pink color.


Wicked Ways Lipglass
This stuff is awesome. You can't completely tell, but it is a super vibrant, hyper-pigmented red lipglass. And don't let it fool you just because it's not a lipstick. This stuff is the real-red deal. If you want bright red glossy lips - get this. The great thing is that you can apply a couple dots and smooth them out for a (still intense, but) less intense red lip... or apply a full coat for super red lips. It's great. 


{via}

(if you are interested in any of these products check on MAC's online store or even at the counters first, then look at places like ebay. You will pay so much more on ebay, but I'm just not sure if these are still available at the counters since the Holiday Collection Tartan Tale has been released)

10.15.2010

Friday Favorites

I have a somewhat busy day today, but I could not skip out on my Friday Favorites. 




This week I wanted to share a mascara with you. Back in September I posted on my Summer Staples. In that post I raved about Maybelline's Colossal Mascara. And I still love that mascara; however, I have ventured out of my comfort zone to try a new one. I chose to try Almay's One Coat Triple Effect Mascara. It's rare that I am initially impressed with a product, they have to grow on me. So after a few uses I really started loving this stuff. It lengthens (which I need) and thickens (which I need). The triple effect stated is that it "instantly builds, extends and sculpts lashes" and I believe that it does. The brush is a bit intimidating in that one side has normal sized bristles and the other side has tiny bristles. You first coat with the long ones, then the short ones for length (I believe). 


I usually do two coats with the long side, then move on to one coat of the shorter side and my lashes look fabulous (and trust me, they need all the help they can get; they are pretty pathetic). I will most definitely be buying a second tube of this mascara.


If you are interested in trying this, I would suggest looking at Walmart for the cheapest price or checking out the weekly sales at your favorite drug store. I did see these where two tubes were packaged together and it was "buy one, get one" which is a good option just in case you do love this mascara. And if you don't love it, you can pass it on to a friend or family member that may like it. Just an option. 


Well I am off to a fabulous weekend with my parents and grandma. They are visiting and I am so excited to see them, show them our place, and just spend time together. Happy weekend to you all!

10.08.2010

With and Without a Paint Pot

So in my September Favorites post I mentioned that I had really been enjoying my MAC Paint Pot. It works as a base to help your eyeshadow stay on throughout the day, keep it from creasing, and it really intensifies the color. Below is a picture I just took. I have a swatch of just the Paint Pot in Rubenesque (1.) then I used three different eye shadow colors to swatch with and without the Paint Pot underneath.


1. Paint Pot by itself. You can see it's a really gorgeous pink/gold iridescent color. And it can definitely be worn by itself.

2., 4., and 6. Are three different colors that are put on top of the Paint Pot.

3., 5., and 7. Same colors but without being put over a Paint Pot

If you look at the picture and do a color to color comparison (i.e. compare 2. and 3.) you will see just how much the Paint Pot works to really intensify the color of the shadow. It makes the color more vibrant and more true to what you are actually seeing in the shadow's pan.

I image that different colored Paint Pots will intensify the colors differently. Black or matte neutral would have a totally different effect; however, it would still work to make the colors more vibrant in one way or another.

If you are interested in a Paint Pot, I would definitely encourage you to go to your closest MAC counter and talk with someone or play with the Paint Pots yourself. It's fun.

Friday Favorites: September Favorites

Today instead of doing just one favorite, I thought I would share some of my many favorites that I found and enjoyed through the month of September. I know we are over a week into October, but I guess it's better late than never. I'm hopefully going to keep my descriptions a bit shorter than the ones in my Summer Staples.


I hate trying out drug store foundation because you can't try it on before buying it and I almost always pick the wrong color. I had heard people on the internet ranting and raving about this stuff, so I finally put my hate aside and tried it out. Luckily (and seriously, this never happens) I ended up picking the perfect color. And I love it. I've worn this product almost every day since I bought it! It's definitely smooth and gives great coverage - the packaging is kind of weird in that you have to screw open the top to get to the product. If you want to give it a try go to Walmart - it would be the cheapest there or keep a check on your local drug stores. They usually put two to three brands each week on a sale like 40% off or BOGO.

That's a mouth-full. I used this scrub a while back and recently re-purchased it. It smells delicious, it's gentile enough to use every other day, and it does a great job at exfoliating. You may already have or want to add into your routine a scrub that works a bit harder for once a week use, but this stuff is perfect for that constant exfoliating that your skin needs.

The color of this blush is a gorgeous pink-peach. Which I love. This particular product is highly pigmented (which you want so that you use less product making it last longer), it wears well throughout the day, and it's very easy to blend. It's pricey, but like I said above, the fact that it's highly pigmented causes you to use less each time it's worn, thus lasting longer. 

Maybe you have heard of ELF, maybe you haven't. The line used to be solely online, but now it's in Target and I've also seen it in Kmart. It's a super cheap line that offers decent products. I like the eye shadows because they are $1 and are well pigmented. To the brush - if you use brushes to apply makeup, you know they can cost quite a bit of money. Elf's regular brushes are $1 and their Studio brushes are $3. I decided to give the Studio Complexion brush a try because... it was $3... there's barely anything to lose. It's a great brush because it can be used with wet or dry product and the brush is so, so soft! The only thing I can complain about is its density, but it's still an awesome brush for the price. I think the studio line is a great place to start if you don't use brushes and you want to give them a try. The price is low and the quality is high. 

I searched every drug store around, Walmart, Target, and Kmart for this stuff. Couldn't find it. The all of a sudden it was in front of my face at Target - I had just been looking on the wrong aisle. It's not where the medicines is - usually around the medicine there is a lip balm section for sick people - like carmex - no, it was in the makeup section of target. Anyway this stuff is great! I use it every other day. It's packed with lots of different natural oils and made with sugar - so if you accidentally get some in your mouth, it's sweet. Once you scrub, your lips are packed with oils and are super smooth. I usually follow with a generous coat of Vaseline and go to bed. 

I like these for many reason. They come in so many wonderful colors, they can be used by themselves as eye shadow color or they can be used as a base for eye shadow, and they are easy to blend out and into shadows. They are usually around $4 each and you can find them in Ulta, online, and sometimes in certain drug stores. Generally, like mentioned above, drugstores and Ulta will have sales going on for certain brands. I waited to buy mine when Ulta had NYX products 50% off. I will warn... use an eye shadow primer if you use these. I've always used a primer while wearing these, so it hasn't happened to me, but I've heard these pencils will crease up in your eye lid badly if you don't have a primer on. Creasing can ruin your look, especially if you planned on wearing your makeup throughout the day. So make sure to do that, or you may end up hating these!

These paint pots come in several different colors - from natural matte, to iridescent, and to black - it just depends on what you want. The rubenesque color I have is a pink/gold iridescent color. I told the guy working at MAC that day that I generally wear neutrals on my eyes and this was just the color he recommended. And I love it. It's such a pretty color I can even wear it by itself. I use it as a base. I first put on my eye shadow primer, then the pain pot, then my eye shadows. What it does as a base is it helps, like my primer, to keep the color where it is supposed to be and avoid creasing, it also really intensifies the colors of the shadows that I put on. (If I remember, I will take pictures of swatches with the paint pot and without so you can see what it does). This stuff will last forever too because it is highly pigmented and you use very little to cover your lid. 

So those are some of my favorites from September. I guess I failed at keeping each description to a minimum, but I wanted to make sure I said everything I wanted  and what I thought you would need to hear about each product. 

9.24.2010

Friday Favorites

I have two today. One beauty related and one not. Let's start with the not.


Five-hour Energy shots. I feel like a lot of people are scared of these or somehow compare them to a Red Bull. No. Not at all like a RB. I've added the nutrition label to show that these aren't effective because of sugar - which means no crash. It's just a tiny shot pack-full with vitamins, and  a lot of them - thus the reason for lots of energy and no crash. Now, I'm no doctor, but I do know it's not that great to take in too much of a vitamin or nutrient because your body can't break down too many things in bulk. So I don't recommend these things for multiple daily use. However, if you are dragging, need to get through a long drive, or didn't get quite the eight hours last night, throw back one of these guys. 

They give a pretty instant boost of energy that sustains itself well. And like I said above, no crash. When I was in grad school I would often drive to Raleigh for the weekend to see my man and my family. I'd leave on Thursdays after a long day of classes and when I stopped for gas, I would grab one of these. Same thing with heading back to the mountains. They just get you going and get your brain a'thinkin. I love them and to anyone who may be weary of them, just give it a try. (the berry flavor kind of tastes like liquid Smarties)

My second favorite: Essie Nail Polish


This stuff. I feel like Essie and OPI are kind of each other's competition. If you are a nail polish guru you either love Essie or you love OPI - me? I love Essie. For me, it applies on the nail nicely, with better coverage, and the colors. Love them. It also seems to offer a bit more glossy finish than OPI when you don't have on a topcoat. 

For some reason, in the past couple weeks, I've accumulated five new nail polishes - four Essie and one OPI. The color above, Forever Young, in on my nails as we speak. I thought I'd support my Wolfpack this weekend via my nails. The other Essie colors I added to the collection are: Mink Muffs (taupe), Sew  Psyched (olive), and Jazz (bone). The OPI color: BYOBoy (it's not as bright pink in person) - this name is so cute, but not the sole reason I bought it. 

Also, Ulta always has a fabulous deal on Essie nail polish. It's buy two, get one free. They can be a bit pricey, but you get three for the price of two and it's definitely a quality product. 

After the weekend, I'm going to move on to Mink Muffs. And come Christmas time, I'll be sporting Sew Psyched fo'sho.

9.17.2010

Friday Favorites


Yesterday when I was out and about, I stopped by Rite Aid who happened to be running a sale for 40% off all Maybelline products. I grabbed a couple things I had heard good reviews on and wanted to try and while I was there I took a look through their lip products. 

Now, I am a very picky lipstick kind of gal when it comes to color. I prefer places like Sephora, Ulta, and department stores where you can try on the color before purchasing, but this Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick had an entire line of nothing but neutrals. I love neutral lipstick. (They also have an entire red line, pink line, plum line, and pearl line) So I am looking through the natural line's swatches on the display and finally decide to purchase Totally Toffee

I check out, get into my car, and immediately pull out the lipstick. I run it across my lips and boom. It is a perfect color. I nailed that one and I was so excited. Not only was the color exactly what I wanted, but it was moisturizing and smooth. And not too shiny and not too matte. Perfect. Looove.

My luck with lipsticks that work for me goes a little like this: find perfect color, use up the tube, go back to purchase new tube, color is discontinued. I swear. Like every single time. (I'll never forget you Sephora brand #49. Moment of silence, please.) So on the way home I have to pass a Walmart. The idea of this color and line discontinuing or being limited edition or whatever is running through my head and I determine, I need to stock up. So I stop by Walmart - and surprise, surprise, I think the Walmart price of these things was less than the sale price at Rite Aid (so if you decide you want to try these, go to Walmart). I grab myself another Totally Toffee - which is like a taupe with pink undertones. I then decided since I am having luck with this neutral line, maybe I should branch out. And by branch out, I mean stay in the neutral line, but buy a pink and a red toned neutral. So I ended up leaving there with Warm Me Up (neutral pink) and Warm & Cozy (neutral red). 

Again, as soon as I get in my car I try out my new colors - and, I love them. They are definitely my new favorites right now - and this lipstick goes on and looks like a lot of $20+ lipsticks out there, so who doesn't like a great deal like that? Definitely go try them out if you are in the market for a new lipstick that has great quality and a great price!

9.16.2010

Gettin Naked

That's what I'm going to be doing now that my PALETTE came in! Y'all, I seriously let out a little squeal when I opened the package this morning and realized it was my UD Naked Palette. I received an email when the package was shipped that estimated the delivery for this thing on Sept 21 - so you can image my joy when this baby showed up almost a week early!

I haven't started playing with it yet, but it's a good assumption that once I finish this post, I will be washing my face and painting on something new and naked. Shmee.

I also went out to Sally Beauty Store and a couple drug stores for a few things - makeup related. obvi. I want to share all about the great finds and perfect lipsticks I came across, but I may save that for another day (and you may not even care). You know sometimes you go out shopping and it's a "good shopping day" - much like a "good hair day" - well, I had one of those.

Good sales, good prices, good colors - all that girl stuff.

On a side and completely unrelated note: I also have been in conversation with a couple contract companies and between them, I hope one is able to find a job for me soon! And one that is reasonably close to where we live. Everyone seems to really care about me and my needs, and want to hire me into their company - we just need some openings! Fingers crossed.

(I can see where this post is going - ramblings - so I'm going to stop. here.)

9.11.2010

I Could Scream

...because I am so. excited!

Y'all, I have been on the HUNT for Urban Decay's Naked Palette. I have seen this thing everywhere and heard nothing but the best about it. So last week I decided that this palette was:

1. Versatile for me and my makeup needs.
2. Priced well for all that you get (considering UD eye shadow pods are $18 each - and this one comes with 12 which are the same size as an individual pod, plus two eye pencils - that I've heard fabulous things about, and a travel sized UD Eye Primer Potion) It's a deal.
3. Great for traveling (because it's so slim and versatile).

So I was greatly disappointed when I walk into my local Sephora and it's no where to be found. A lady called the Sephora warehouse and they were out. Ulta was out. UD warehouse was out. Everywhere on the internet - OUT. There's nothing more disappointing than deciding you are going to splurge a bit on something well worth it, and then find out it's nowhere to be found. After the lady hung up the phone, she informed me that the palette was in high demand and was sold out everywhere (and it was only released mid-July). UD is working hard in the factory and would hopefully have some made and back in stock in 3-4 weeks. 3-4 WEEKS??? How can I wait that long when I want it now? I was tapping into my inner Veruca Salt. That's definitely a characteristic of mine: when I want something, I want it then. Instant results. I likey.

So all week long I have religiously, like at least three times a day, been checking Sephora, Ulta, UD, google shopping, and the entire WWW for "Urban Decay Naked Palette". Except today. I usually wake up and immediately check.

I almost didn't check today. But for some reason I decided ehhh I guess I'll take a look - not hopeful at all. Why would I be? They are non-existent for another 3+ weeks. Then... Amazon.com popped up: IN-STOCK. I did a double check to make sure it was 1. New, 2. the real thing, and 3. Still in-stock. My jaw dropped. I added it to my cart, leaped off the couch for my purse, and got through the check out process probably setting some kind of Guinness Book of World Records record. And now... IT'S ON ITS WAY!

Just made my weekend.


Isn't it beautiful?

9.10.2010

Friday Favorites

After completing this post, I decided I wanted to keep with that theme and continue to share products I love.

Back in the summer of 2007 my little sister (in-law) and I were browsing though Ulta trying on lipsticks, blushes, and eye shadows - the usual. A beautician who worked there came up to us and asked if we had ever tried Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion. We both said no, but were instantly interested. She went on to explain it's a primer like you'd use for your foundation, but it's for eyes. We tried it. 

I remember us driving around in my car later on that day, pulling down my visor, and looking at my eye makeup that looked as though I had just put it on. At that moment I was hooked. The next day I went back to Ulta, bought the primer, and have been using it ever since. 

It's a great buy! You makeup stays put and fresh all day, there are absolutely no creases, and this tube lasts forever! They have even started to make new variations of this product - they have a clear (the one above), a tawny matte colored one, and a shimmery champagne colored one. AND for those of us who really love it, there is now a big-girl sized tube

Whichever one you choose the point is that this product is worth every penny if you have problems with eye shadow creasing or not lasting throughout the day. 

9.09.2010

Summer Staples

As summer comes to an end, I thought I'd share the beauty products that I clung to these past few months.


Aside from the day I took my bridal portraits and the day of our wedding, I didn't wear that much makeup this summer. I spent most of my days around the house working on wedding-related things. If I did wear makeup it was minimal.

1. Maybelline Colossal Mascara For less than $6 this stuff is amazing. It offers great volume and fullness, it lengthens, and it's cheap. I've tried a couple high-end mascaras that Sephora recommends, but honestly, none of them do the job as well as this guy. 

2. MAC Lipglass Viva Glam V & VI (it's hard to find a good link for this - find a MAC counter near you) I went to the MAC counter at a Belk in Savannah and asked the lady for a neutral lipstick. She asked if I was against lipgloss, I said no, and she brought both of these samples to me. Thank God for this lady. These two shades are amazing. The V is the perfect neutral; it gives your lips a subtle pop. The VI is basically the same, but with a hint of pink/red. I was weary of VI initially because I am not someone who wears any type of color on my lips - my lips are plump, so bright colors tend to make me look like a clown without the rainbow wig - don't get me wrong, I do love my plump lips, but just not with a lot of bright colors. Bottom line: these two are perfect if you want a gloss that is neutral and subtle. Aside from the perfect color, this gloss stays on for a very long time. Go try it out. 

3. VS Good Day Sunshine Sheer Mist This scent worked perfectly for summer. It's a light fragrance that combines peach and freesia, and it's just a happy aroma. The name of this scent is kind of perfect. 

4. Crest 3D White Strips with Advanced Professional Seal These things work and they work fast. You use them once a day, for 30 minutes, for however many days it takes you to get the shade you want. It's pricey, but you get a lot of strips and within days you have a prettier smile. These were exceptionally helpful the week before the wedding!

5. DDF Enhancing Sun Protection This stuff. My favorite of all. It's a UV moisturizer with SPF 30. I put it on every morning no matter what season. It has moisturizer, sun protection, and self blending spheres that give your face a glow and evens out your skin tone. I especially loved this for summer because most days I would just rub it on, slap on a bit of blush, mascara, and lip gloss, and I was good to go. Love, love, love.

6. Salon Grafix Dry Shampoo I try my best not to wash my hair two days in a row. It's not as healthy as you would think to wash your hair everyday - this process strips natural oils your hair and skin need. I try my best to wait two to three days before washing - and what gets me through these few days? Dry Shampoo! I mostly only have to use it on the hair around my face (which I touch the most) and sometimes around the crown. SG makes invisible dry shampoo, but also makes some that coordinate with your hair color - I actually like the brunette dry shampoo better than the invisible. I know for sure Ulta carries the colored ones. I've only used SG dry shampoo - mostly because I know it works and it's not as costly as other brands, but I hope to try different brands eventually. Dry shampoo also helps with styling. If I'm doing an up-do or a half up-do, I'll usually spray a bit of dry shampoo on a section of hair before teasing it. It seems to help hold the tease. 

7. Bare Minerals Tinted Mineral Veil Mineral Veil is made to kind of give you that photo-finish soft look after you've applied all your makeup. I used regular MV throughout the year, but I like using the tinted MV in the summer for that sun-kissed glow and the extra SPF protection.  

8. Bare Minerals Naughty Naughty Blush If you look at this product online, do not be alarmed by the color it appears to be - for some reason most online site depict this blush to be more of a brownish/bronze color - and it is not. It's a wonderful shade of a dusty pink rose. It is a darker blush, but I think light pink blushes should be saved for winter. The darker pinks give the sun kissed cheek we want for summer. I first got this blush in a BM Moxi Kit - and before I keep going, I have to say, this was the best kit ever. You get three versatile brushes, the tinted mineral veil, this blush, an all over face radiance color, and two eye colors that compliment each other perfectly. When I bought this kit it was about $50 and now you can get it for under $25 - that's not a deal, y'all, that's a steal. The Moxi kit is an exceptional purchase for summer - you like how this whole #8 thing has gone in a completely different directions? Point is: Naughty, Naughty is in the kit - you might as well pay the extra five bucks and just get the kit - unless you just need blush. It's up to you.