Black to Rose-Gold Cat Eye

Once upon a time, I was trying to figure out how to do my eye makeup for my upcoming wedding. I thought I had decided on a black to rose-gold cat eye. Until I tried it.

Cat Eye + Hooded Eyes = :D

Hooded eyes are beautiful, but they present a serious challenge when trying to achieve any standard eyeshadow look. I have one partially hooded eye and one completely hooded eye, so I have to constantly adjust looks that I see out in the world to my eyeballs. It's not easy, but it is certainly fun.

Blue+

I woke up today in a mood that can only be described in either a complex arrangement of Emojis, or simply, "...?"


Like the great hero of our time, Wayne Goss said, "Make up is meditation for those who love it." So I asked myself: Why not turn this "...?" into an opportunity to mess around with colors I might not have touched before? The result was a blue halo eye.

All About Reds

If you spend some time in the cosmetics community, you will hear this drumbeat of "Everyone has a red."

It's true. Everyone does have a red!

But for lipstick fanatics, we don't have just one red. We have several. I went through my collection and compiled my favorite reds of all time.

10 Minute Essentials: Drug Store vs. Mid-End Products

I am about as much of a fan of drug store products as I am of catching extra sleep in the morning--and wow that is saying a heck of a lot. My typical 10 minute essentials are a combination--nay, a fusion--of drug store and mid-end products that I just can't live without. I tried today, however, to see if I could stick to just drug store products for one 10 minute look and do the same for mid-end products. The result surprised me, which I'm a bit excited to share with you lovely folks.

Product Review: Lorac Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick in Glam

I can't be the only one who doesn't quite know where she fits in with this whole "nude lip" or "my lips but better" (MLBB) upswing that's been happening in the cosmetics community. My lips are naturally very pigmented which makes being able to pull off nude lips almost impossible--but I refuse to give up! The only product that has ever come close to a MLBB for me is this Lorac Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick in Glam. I find it kind of funny (funny-haha and funny-strange) that my natural lip color, when only slightly amplified, is called "Glam."


Pros:

• The formula is quite thick and creamy which makes for an easy, smooth application. 
• The color--for me--is quite subtle, so if you have pigmented lips and are just looking for a little extra OOMPH for the office or a job interview, I would say this is a great option.
• The smell! It smells like burnt vanilla beans--almost like MAC lipsticks but not as sugary. This is more burnt sugar than fresh vanilla. 
• The price. It's only $10 on Lorac's website.

Cons:

• Goopiness. While the overall formula is nice, it does feel a bit goopy on the lips after it has been spread evenly post-application. Blotting and then dusting with translucent powder might help the goopiness factor. 
• Doesn't have the longest wear time.

 Conclusion:

• This is a great MLBB option for someone who wants to have a subtle splash of color on the lips and doesn't mind having to touch up every few hours.
  

This product has become a staple in my makeup bag and I reach for it often if I'm experimenting with different lip colors and I find that the one I have on just isn't working for me. It works with so many looks (smokey eyes, subtle eyes, bold eyes) and can easily be worn with just mascara and blush if you're having a day where you just want to look slightly polished but not go through the trouble of putting on 10 different products.

Product Review: NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Dolly Pink

Lip products are my absolute favorite cosmetic item; overflowing drawers on my dressing table can attest to this fact. Lip glosses, though, have just never been my jam. Since I was a kid, I found lip glosses to be sticky and irritating and a constant hair trap. Not cute. But I've been trying to branch out a bit and see if there are any lip glosses out there that give a nice shine without turning your lips into a tar pit.

Pros:

• The color. If you've ever wanted a Barbie pink that won't be too shockingly bright on pale skin, you'll be into this for sure. It's incredibly bright but perfect for a day where you want to look put together without trying too hard. Think: sunglasses and lip gloss while running errands.
• The formula itself is fantastic; it doesn't cling to lip flakes. 
• Super smooth application--no pulling or tugging at the lips.
• The price! It's only $4.99.

Cons:

• The smell. Wow. It reminds me of the bubblegum flavored liquid antibiotics that you get prescribed when you're a kid. It's very sweet but also smells extremely clinical. Thankfully, when the gloss dries down, the smell disappears. If you're sensitive to smells, you might want to hold your breath while applying this.

Conclusion:

• The pros here definitely out way the cons. I can handle the momentary nostalgia of pneumonia-tic youth for this intense color payoff.

I'm not one to stay 100% within seasonal trends (anytime is a good time for a bold lip, I always say), but summer generally tends to be when folks wear brighter colors the most. Dolly Pink is a solid item to have in your collection for those days that you want to be bold, but not too overboard or overdone. Stay tuned for more lip gloss reviews as I sort through my collection!