The Lipstick Clique

Spring Break Outfit: Day 1

2013-03-30T20:25:00.001-07:00

Happy spring!!

As this week is spring break for Sara and I, we will hopefully be catching up on posts.

I'm trying to challenge myself to post my outfit for each day of spring break (except for the days I'm just lounging around at home wearing sweatpants!)

Today was pleasantly warm, but still had a bit of a breeze, so I paired this long sleeved black jumper from Forever21 with these distressed denim shorts, also from Forever21.

I've had this top for ages, but I think it's really cute--it has the most adorable bunny drawing on it! The neckline is also quite wide, so it can be worn off the shoulder as well.

I have on this lovely blue shade of nail polish from Inglot, which I will be doing a post on shortly! I also accessorized with this silver, textured bracelet from PacSun.

Look out for my next spring break outfit post coming soon!

My Recent Obsessions AKA How to Get Out of a Winter Rut!

2013-03-02T20:41:00.002-08:00

Long time no see! It has been a wild few months, but both Sara and I really needed a break to get things together, I think.

But now we're back, and even though it's second semester, we're going to try to keep up with the posts!

I've been in a bit of a winter rut, if you know what I mean, but I've discovered some favorite things that have gotten me out of it a bit!

1) Pretty, new makeup!

Nothing like some new makeup goodies to try out to get rid of those winter blues! I recently picked up a few items that I have loved, including the new Maybelline Color Whisper balm type thing in 65 Pink Possibilities, the Rimmel Stay Glossy lip gloss in eternal summer, and NYC smooth skin bronzer in sunny!

All of these products are from the drugstore and are very affordable, and yet they are fantastic!

The Maybelline color whisper is very lightweight, yet has great pigmentation, and I love the shade of bright pink for spring.

The Rimmel gloss is a lovely rosy nude shade with flecks of shimmer. It looks very polished on the lips and lasts a good 4 hours on me without reapplication.

I've heard a lot of good things about this NYC bronzer, and I have to say it lives up to the hype! It's a nice, matte, light golden brown that works fantastic as an all-over dusting of color or for contouring. It works really nicely on my fair skintone and doesn't look muddy or orange (we all know the effects of overbronzing, and it is not cute).

2) Fitness

I've been into my fitness routine lately. I run track and of course that keeps me motivated, but having goals to accomplish is a great thing, I think, especially when it comes to fitness and health. I've been working a lot of staying in shape and eating healthier, and it has had amazing effects on my attitude, energy level, and overall happiness.

Plus, don't tell me these pink Nikes don't brighten your spirits a little more!

I just got these today, actually. They're the Nike Lunaracer +3. I have yet to try them, but I'll keep all of you updated on how you like them.

3) Awesome new music!

I've been getting into a lot of new music this past month, and delving further into music I have already been enjoying. Music I enjoy really lifts my mood and makes me happy, no matter how much I'm stressing.

Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Give Me Love by Ed Sheeran

2. Down With the Trumpets by Rizzle Kicks

3. One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks) by One Direction

See a trend with my favorite music of the moment? Yep, they're all from British artists. I may have an obsession. But maybe those adorable accents from across the pond are another way to get out of a winter rut!

Hope you guys enjoyed this post and found it helpful! Spring is nearly here!

Leave your recent obsessions in the comments below.

OOTDs: CHICAGO!

2012-11-03T14:56:00.000-07:00

What we're wearing

Angela

tank top: Forever21

cardigan: Forever21

pants: H&M

necklace: Charming Charlie

boots: Macy's

bow: American Apparel

Sara

sweater: Forever21

jeans: Levi's

necklace: Target

bracelet: Charming Charlie

boots: Rack Room Shoes

September Favorites!!

2012-09-30T15:58:00.002-07:00

It has been a long month! And a long time since I've done a blog post as well. I have been super, super busy with school and all my extracurriculars, but I figured the end of the month would be the appropriate time to catch up.

The first product of my favorites is the Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue perfume. I've had my eye on this perfume for quite a while, and finally got it as a birthday gift! It smells absolutely amazing, so fresh and bright.

Second is quite exciting...the Urban Decay Naked Palette!! I have been wanting this for a while as well, and finally picked it up just a few days ago. I felt like it deserved a place in this video because I am really already in love with it. I'm sure you all know what it looks like, but I've included photos anyway!

It just has a gorgeous range of neutrals.

As far as skincare is concerned, I recently ran out of my face cleanser and picked up the Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash (that name is a mouthful!) I love Neutrogena products, and this one is no exception. Unlike most acne washes, it actually hydrates the skin and leaves it feeling soft.

For nails, I have been wearing OPI Red quite a lot this month. I think red is a lovely transition color between summer and fall. This shade is a creamy, true red and applies flawlessly.

I have been using my Urban Decay De Slick setting spray this month as well, and I find it really helps to keep my makeup in place and keep my skin from getting too oily and shiny throughout the day.

I picked up the Revlon Lip Butter in Creamsicle and have been loving it all month! It's a sheer peachy nude that basically just tones down my natural lip color, but it looks very effortless and pretty and is very hydrating.

Finally, I have my Lancome Blush Subtil in Cappucine (I believe this may be discontinued). It's just a subtle brown-y rose plum color that is perfect for autumn and winter. It's quite sheer as well, which makes it easy to apply without going over the top.

What are some of your favorite products this month?

My Week In Photos: Late August

2012-08-30T14:25:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone is having a good end of summer! Fall is just around the corner and I can't believe it. School has just started where I live, and I've gotten crazy busy with homework and assignments and everything. But I'm trying to make blog posts more often now that things are settling into a routine. Here are some photos from my past week!

A twisty hairstyle I tried out earlier in the week!

I absolutely love Orange Leaf frozen yogurt!

On the way home from school with Sara's sister Saba!

I went to a massive water balloon fight that was held in our area!

I made this picstich....it's true. Arm candy, kittens, Oreos, and ONE DIRECTION.

I spent a part of the week with a bit of a cold...I usually tend to get sick around when the seasons change.

I tried out this fishtail braid twist!

Saul Good Restaurant with my family! Their California Portabello Sandwich is delish.

My cat!

A friend sent this to me when I was sick! Too cute!

Some pick-me-ups! I must say the Icebreakers Duos are absolutely amazing.

What have you guys been up to this weekend? Have you started the school year yet?

Summer to Fall Transition Outfit!

2012-08-25T13:54:00.002-07:00

Fall isn't quite here yet, but it's approaching quickly, and some of us have already gone back to school! During this transition period, when it's not quite chilly but it's getting cooler, it's nice to be able to still wear some favorite summer pieces. A loose racer-back tank top was one of my must-haves this summer, and with this outfit I have dressed it up a little.

I added a pair of white skinny jeans, a neutral beige scarf to make it a little cozier, and a cute gold chain bracelet. Leopard print flats and sheer plum lips add some contrast and fun to the look.

Hope you guys enjoyed this post! I'll be trying to post more and more as school and everything comes into more of a routine and less of.....craziness. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter: @lipstickclique

Comment below with your favorite way to transition pieces into fall!

OOTD: July 29, 2012

2012-08-01T19:09:00.004-07:00

For this outfit, I wore a minty green strapless dress from Gap and gold Tory Burch flats. I decided to keep the look simple and not to add any accessories.

I styled my hair in loose, texturized waves and wore neutral makeup.

Hope you guys liked this outfit of the day post!

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Peachy Scene

2012-07-29T19:38:00.001-07:00

I was perusing the makeup section of Target the other day when I stumbled upon the clearance section and found this wonderful lipstick on sale for around $3 I believe. The color in the tube instantly drew me in, so I bought it.

This shade is a medium pinky coral with some peach tones in it and a slightly frosty sheen. Now, I'm not usually big on frosty lipstick, but the frost on this one isn't too obvious and just gives a nice bit of a glossy look.

The formulation is quite creamy and lightweight; it's almost easy to forget you have lipstick on! However, upon application there is a bit of a sweet, artificial cake scent. Not my favorite, but it doesn't bother me too much and the scent goes away quickly enough.

I do think that this is a lovely color, especially for summertime (it looks great on tan skin!) It reminds me a little of MAC's Costa Chic lipstick, which is a similar shade of shimmery coral.

As you can see, it applies fairly nicely, although the frost can emphasize lip lines, so I recommend using a moisturizing lip balm underneath it to minimize the look of lines. The staying power is decent as well, although lipstick staying power isn't really an issue for me as I don't mind reapplying once in a while. However, you should get a good three to four hours of wear with one application.

All in all, I really like this lipstick for summer! If it looks like something you might like, I would run out and get it, as it might be on the way to being discontinued!

Hope you all enjoyed this post!

Two Date-Night Looks Feat. Bright Lips!

2012-07-28T11:10:00.001-07:00

Here are two looks we created that would be great for a formal date-night or night out. I (Angela) did Sara's makeup, and she did mine!

Sara's look features a bold, glossy fuchsia lip, Maybelline Superstay 10 HR Stain Gloss in Fresh Fuchsia. I used fairly matte, neutral colors on the eyes with a thick, dark brown liner to balance out the face, and a little brightness on her cheeks with a bright blush.

My look featured bold red lipstick. Sara also used matte neutral eyeshadows on my eyes, and added a little bit of old Hollywood glamour to the look by adding black flicked liquid eyeliner. She used Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick in Red Revival.

Hope you guys enjoyed this post! We'll keep the posts coming! xx Sara and Angela

Liebster Award!

2012-07-18T11:19:00.002-07:00

We (Sara and Angela) have been nominated for the Liebster Award by Pareasa at The F.A.B Journal! This award can be given to up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers. There are also certain rules that apply for receiving this award.
The Rules:

The person nominated must share 11 facts about themselves.
The person nominated must answer the questions the tagger (the person who nominated them) set for them.
The person nominated must choose 11 people to tag (nominate) and create 11 questions for them to answer. Then they must go to their pages and let them know they were nominated!
There are no tag backs!

11 Facts About Us (22 total!)

Sara: I have a twin sister. She's 5 minutes younger than me!
Angela: I'm half Chinese and half American. My mom is from China and my dad was born and raised in the United States.
S: I had pet chicks when I was little! We had to give them away when they got bigger :(
A: My favorite genre of movie is action! I know that's probably weird for a girl who is obsessed with fashion and beauty, but I love movies like Inception, the Adjustment Bureau, Limitless, The Avengers, and the new Spider-man movie!! A little eye-candy doesn't hurt either, haha.
S: My favorite food is pizza. I literally love any kind of pizza and any toppings. I must be Italian or something!
A: I lived in Japan for 7 months when I was a baby, and I lived in China for a year when I was 10. By the time I was one year old, I had spent most of my life in Japan. And while I lived in China, I went to a Chinese public school in Beijing!
S: I'm Iranian/Persian. I moved to the United States when I was 10 years old.
A: I wrote a novel when I was in 7th grade. We were assigned it for language arts class, and mine ended up being 21,000 words long. A year later, I participated in a challenge called NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) where you write a 50,000 word novel in a month!
S: I play the piano and flute. I've been playing the piano for about nine years now, and the flute for five.
A: My first makeup product was an eyeshadow from Victoria's Secret. It was a rather dark purple, and I think I just used it on my lashlines.
S: My first makeup product was CoverGirl Lashblast! I took it from my mom!
A: I was very ambitious as a young child. I wanted to be everything from a chemist to a historian to an author!
S: I was the nosiest little child you would ever meet. I would literally follow people around to see what they were doing!
A: My favorite flavor of cake is red velvet! So delicious. I have no more words.
S: I have close family in every continent except Africa and Antarctica. (Someone needs to move to Antarctica soon).
A: The reason I love makeup and fashion so much: I did ballet when I was little, so we always wore pretty costumes and put on makeup for performances, I loved it! One of my ballet teachers called me Angelina Ballerina :)
S: The reason I love makeup and fashion so much: I would always watch my mom put on makeup when I was little, and I would ask for some and she would put a little bit of lip gloss on me, and I loved putting on makeup with my friends (using my mom's makeup!)
A: I'm a city girl at heart. I lived in Boston for most of my life and I plan on moving to a big city (if possible) when I get older.
S: My favorite subject in school is math! It sounds crazy how I love beauty and math at the same time, they're total opposites, but I do!
A: I run track! My dad is also a runner, and my mom did track in school and in college, but I hated running until I joined track during middle school. I've gone on to participate in high school, and love my team!
Both: We've been best friends for (what feels like) centuries. We do everything together, and we're planning to go to New York IMATS senior year!! <3

11 Questions for Me:

What is your favorite thing about blogging? Sara: Taking pictures! Angela: Being able to share my thoughts and ideas with other people.
Where do you see yourself in five years? S: In college...hopefully a good college. A: College too, not much else to say about that.
Do your friends and family know about your blog? S: Most of my family knows about the blog, but most of my friends don't. A: I think my dad and my brother know about the blog, but most of my other family members and friends don't.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment? S: Receiving distinction scores on the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). A: I've survived for 15 years and 10 months, I think that's accomplishment enough.
If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be? S: Taylor Swift, she's gorgeous and super talented. A: I would say the same same thing, what a fun person to switch places with. Plus, she's a CoverGirl!
What is your phone's ringtone? S: Default ringtone, I'm so cool. A: Mine was "What Makes You Beautiful", but I want to change it to "Princess of China" by Coldplay.
Who is your fashion icon? S: Bethany from Macbarbie07 on Youtube! A: Probably Emma Roberts or Lauren Conrad.
What is one thing you are insecure about? S: My skin breaks out a lot. A: I get undereye circles because I stay up late a lot.
What is one of your goals you hope to accomplish? S: Become successful in general. A: Become a doctor, preferably neurologist.
What is your go-to beauty product (hair, makeup, etc.)? S: Mascara. I just love it. A: I would say lip and cheek stain because it brightens up your lips and face ( I like Stila Mango Crush and Benefit Benetint!)
What is your favorite vacation you've been on? S: The first time I went to Turkey because it was a big family trip! A: The cruise we took last Christmas--we got to go snorkeling and be on the beach on Christmas day and spend time with the family!

We Nominate:

MissFDMakeup at MissFDMakeup
Vicky at Cotton Candy Chronicles
Jackie at The Fashion It List
Michaela at Lather Rinse Repeat
Kailyn at ForeverKailyn
Carly at Infinity Amour.
Scarlett at The Trendy Chick
Jessica and Justina at TruBeautyGems
Lise at Violet Polish
Allie at Sparkles and Stilettos
Taylor at Simply Joy

My 11 Questions:

What's your favorite dessert?
If you had to leave the house with only one beauty product on, what would it be?
Why did you decide to do blogging?
What's the first thing on your "bucket list"?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
What's your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
What do you think is your best feature?
What weather do you prefer?
What's your favorite type of fragrance scent (sweet, fresh, fruity, musky, etc.)?
How did you meet your best friend?
Do you prefer watching TV or reading a book?

If you decide to continue this blog award, please leave a comment with a link to your answers! We would love to see how you answered the questions!! Thank you so much to Pareasa for nominating us!

How-to Wear Your Boyfriend's T-Shirt (and Still Look Cute!)

2012-07-16T14:54:00.001-07:00

Regardless of whether or not you actually have a boyfriend, you can still look adorable wearing guys' clothing! By adding a few feminine touches, it's easy to create an effortless and casual outfit.

This look works best with a T-shirt that is of course loose and long, but not too loose or long. The shoulder seam should be a few inches loose, and the hem should be around six to ten inches past your waist. Choose a shirt that has an interesting design or wording--I like shirts that have a travel related or beachy vibe. Pick whatever shirt that you think would suit your look.

Pair the shirt with a pair of dark wash skinny jeans to balance out the looseness of the shirt. Wearing baggy jeans with a baggy shirt may overwhelm your figure and look too masculine; the goal of this look is to be casual, yet still polished.

Add a girly pair of shoes that are still coherent with the rest of the outfit. Anything from canvas shoes (like Toms) to Oxfords to flats will do. I've added a pair of classic black ballet flats.

A simple accessory or two, like a cute bow bracelet or stack of bangles will work nicely with this outfit. Top it off with a dash of pink blush and some winged black eyeliner.

I hope you all enjoyed this post, and have fun raiding your boyfriend's/brother's/guy friend's closet (or the men's section of Forever21) for a shirt to wear for this look!

Review: Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara

2012-07-16T13:00:00.001-07:00

I needed a new mascara, so a few days ago I decided to stop by Target and try out this mascara. Even though I've only used it a few times, I have already found some pros and cons about it. The price of this mascara is great! I believe that it may vary between approximately six to nine dollars depending on where you live.

*Before applying mascara*

*After applying mascara*

Like the mascara is supposed to, it gives my lashes curls. According to the Rimmel website, it is supposed to give 70% curlier lashes. I definitely think that it does give my lashes curls. As you can tell from this picture, my lashes look curled even though I did not curl them at all. This is possible the number one thing I love about this mascara.

The Mascara also does not clump which is always a thumbs up!

*Before applying mascara*

*After applying mascara*

The packaging is a very pretty and shiny purple color! What girl doesn't love shiny packaging? haha

The brush it very easy to use. It has very defined bristles which is probably one of the reasons this mascara does not clump.

I definitely recommend this mascara if you love natural looking lashes for the day! However, if you're specifically looking for a lot of length or volume, I do not think that this mascara will please you as much. This is a great mascara if you're looking for non-clumping mascaras that give curls and some length and volume.

I hope this helped! Leave in the comments below if you've ever tried this mascara and what you think about it!

Hair Care Routine (Products I'm Currently Using!)

2012-07-15T13:08:00.002-07:00

Recently, I have been trying to put more effort into keeping my hair strong and healthy. I have fairly long, highlighted hair (it reaches just about to the bottom of my rib cage, as a point of reference), so it needs a good care routine to prevent it from becoming damaged and dry or breaking. I also have quite a lot of hair, even though I got it thinned out recently. The cut I have now is long layers with piece-y ends.

I'm trying out a new shampoo and conditioner from Tresemme from their Naturals line. It claims to have lower sulfates, which can dry out hair and damage color-treated hair (like mine). They also claim to be moisturizing and nourishing, which is always a plus. In the shower, I basically lather my hair with the shampoo, concentrating on the scalp area. After rinsing the shampoo out, I coat my hair from the ears down generously with conditioner and wait 3-4 minutes before rinsing it out. When I get out of the shower, I gently wring my hair out with an absorbent towel and wrap my hair up in a towel turban type thing.

A couple times a week, I'll use the Garnier Fructis Intense Cleanse Anti-Dandruff Shampoo on my scalp to deep clean my scalp..skin (does that sound weird? haha) and also to get rid of any hair product that has built up in my hair. Supposedly anti-dandruff shampoo works very effectively for removing product build-up that might weigh hair down and prevent it from being, well, voluminous.

After I take my hair out of the towel, I will gently comb through it with the wide-tooth comb on the left in the photo below. I used to use a brush, but I found that brushing hair while it's wet causes it to break and snap.

I use the brush on the right to brush out tangles in my dry hair. It works well because it's ionized to prevent static (I believe the brush is by Goody, but I don't remember exactly). I also use the brush in the center, which is by Conair, to smooth my hair. Boar bristle brushes like this one are supposed to be good for your hair because they help distribute the natural oils in your hair to the ends.

After combing my damp hair, I rub a dollop of the Garnier Fructis Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment through the ends of my hair to condition it. I hear that this product is very similar to Moroccanoil--they both have a lot of the same ingredients--although I have not tried Moroccanoil myself. Anyway, I have found that this oil treatment does wonders for my hair: it conditions it, reduces frizz, and makes my hair feel suuuuper soft. If you want a full review, leave it in the comments below!

I rarely blow dry my hair, and prefer to let it air dry instead. Once most of the moisture is gone from my hair, I brush it out a little bit and apply a little more of the Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment to the length of my hair, and add a little bit of Garnier Fructis Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk (do you see a trend? I love Garnier products) to the pieces of hair around my face and the little frizzies that stick up on the top of my head. If I am going to curl or straighten my hair, I wait until afterwards to apply both of these products.

As for styling products, my favorites are Herbal Essences Set Me Up Mousse, Tresemme Freshstart Dry Shampoo, and Garnier Fructis Anti-Humidity Hairspray. I use the mousse if I want a tousled, beachy waves look, I use the dry shampoo to freshen-up second day hair, and the hairspray of course to set and hold any hairstyle. If you would like to hear more about how I style my hair, comment below for a post dedicated just to that!

All in all, I think the most important steps to maintaining strong, healthy hair is to use products that do not cause dryness, to treat your hair gently when styling, condition it regularly, and to avoid too much heat styling (at most, I will use heat on my hair only two or three times a week). I hope this post was helpful/interesting, and once again, if you have any review requests, please leave them in the comments below!

Also, feel free to comment with any hair care tips you might have. Have a great week!

OOTD and FOTD!

2012-07-14T16:17:00.003-07:00

I always love looking at OOTD posts! They give me great outfit ideas so I thought I would share my outfit for today with you! The main reason I chose to wear this outfit was because I was dying to wear my new wedges and they looked perfect with the dress!

CLOTHING

Dress: American Eagle

Shoes: Macy's (Michael Kors)

Necklace: Forever 21

*unfortunately I do not know where the belt is from since I received it as a gift*

MAKEUP

Eyeshadow: Wet n Wild in "Don't steal my thunder"

Liquid eyeliner: Revlon Color Stay

Pencil Eyeliner: Revlon Color Stay (Haha, same brand as the liquid liner!)

Lips: Loreal Colour Riche lip gloss in "Rich Rose"

I hope you enjoyed!

Summer Style: Floral Shorts

2012-07-13T20:23:00.001-07:00

Floral shorts are the perfect easy piece for summer. They're great for a casual, yet cute look. The look below would be perfect for a day out with the girls, a picnic date, music festival, or really any summer occasion. I like pairing the shorts with a casual tank top, some cool shades, and a pop of summery makeup.

The featured shorts in this look are from Target.

How would you style floral shorts for summer? Leave it in the comments below!

Go-to Everyday Summer Makeup Look Products

2012-07-11T21:07:00.001-07:00

Since it's summertime, I don't wear makeup every day. But on days when I do feel like wearing makeup, there are several products I reach for that are great for putting together a quick, neutral summery look.

elf Eyebrow Kit

In my opinion, defining your eyebrows is a really quick, simple step that can really transform how you look. Brows frame the eyes and the rest of the face, so filling them can help pull everything together. This brow kit has a darker gel and a lighter setting powder which makes it easy to sort of customize the color to whatever color brows you have. The gel also helps keep the brow hairs in place.

Sonia Kashuk Confidential Concealer

I picked this concealer up fairly recently, needing a concealer for touch-ups throughout the day. At first, I didn't like it very much, but I found that it works nicely under the eyes and on redness on my face. Liquid concealers are sort of hit-or-miss for me, and this one has pretty nice coverage and doesn't settle into lines. It also comes with a brightening pencil on the other end that can work nicely as an inner-corner highlight in a pinch.

Stila Sun-Gel Gel Bronzant

I got this product in a set from Stila, and I think it's now discontinued, but there are comparable products from Clarins and a few other brands I believe. I know I have mentioned this in a post before, but I really love it for the summertime! I usually mix my foundation or BB cream with a little dab of this gel to get an all-over sunkissed look.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in RSVP

I have loved this cream eyeshadow for a long time, in fact, I use it year round. But, it's especially great in the summer because it's quick and easy to apply and lasts all day. True to it's name, this cream eyeshadow will not crease at all! This glowy pink-champagne shade is also really gorgeous and a perfect summer color.

L'oreal HIP Concentrated Shadow Duo in Shady

I use this shadow duo combined with the Benefit eyshadow above. These two shades are matte and therefore perfect for the crease of the eye! I use a fluffy crease brush to sweep the lighter shade in the crease, and then concentrate the darker shade in the outer corner. These shades are both well pigmented and apply smoothly and blend easily--great quality for a drugstore eyeshadow duo.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Bourbon

The most common problem I have with makeup in the summer is smudging. So I need to have a pretty kick-a** eyeliner, if you will, to stay in place and keep from smudging and smearing everywhere. Although Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes does just as well in the non-smudging department, I feel that the warm, shimmery brown shade of this Urban Decay Pencil is a great summer color. As you can tell, I've worked this one down to almost a stub.

Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof Mascara

Another product that MUST be immune to smudges is mascara. If I'm going to be out in the sun or swimming, waterproof mascara is crucial. I have been raving about the Falsies because it gives so much volume and length...and the waterproof version holds a curl and lasts all day. (Check out my full review of the Falsies)

Stila Mango Crush Lip and Cheek Stain

Another product I have raved about in previous posts, this stain gives a gorgeous coral flush to the cheeks. And since it's a stain, the color lasts all day, even through sweat and swimming! It works well on the lips as well, but I find it especially flattering sheered out on the apples of the cheeks.

Revlon Colorburst Lip gloss in Peony

And finally, for lips, I have been loving this peachy pink shade. It leaves a very high shine finish to the lips that doesn't feel sticky or too tacky. This color really lights up the face, especially with the gold shimmer in the gloss. It's the perfect finishing touch to a summer look, and looks fantastic on bronzed skin.

Thanks for reading! Leave your thoughts or requests for other posts in the comments below!

Maybelline SuperStay 10 Hour Stain Gloss in Fresh Fuchsia Review & Swatches!

2012-07-05T10:11:00.000-07:00

The SuperStay 10 Hour Stain Glosses are a fairly new addition to Maybelline's line (I believe they launched this spring). To me, they are an exciting concept, but they don't seem to have received that much hype from the beauty community, even when they were first released. Even so, being easily allured by new, fascinating products, I picked up one when they were on sale for $5.99 at Rite Aid (their retail value is $8.99 according to Maybelline's website).

These glosses are described by Maybelline as glosses with a shine-enhancing formula and lightweight color. Here is the product claim:

Lasting color. Vibrant sheen.
Meet the first-ever 10HR stain gloss.
Shine enhancing formula glides on lightweight color that won't dry out.

The first 10HR Stain Gloss:

• Vibrant and shiny wear; never flat

• Feels fresh all day, never dry.

• Glides on wet and smooth, never drags

• Shine enhancing formula provides a lightweight layer of lasting color

• 10 long-lasting shades

To me, that seems like a lot of repetition. In short, they are supposed to deliver shiny, vibrant color that lasts for 10 hours.

Let's take a look at some swatches.

Below are one coat of product and three coats respectively. The color is a very bright, slightly berry-toned pink fuchsia. It is true to the claim that the color glides on easily, and it's not difficult to build up the intensity. I wouldn't say the finish it gives is truly "shiny," but more of a slightly glossy sheen. The sheen also fades away fairly quickly, which isn't quite true to the claim.

One of the unique features of this product is the applicator. It has a fairly long, skinny wand, and a sort of rounded, squishy doe foot applicator. If you look closely, you can see that there is a small indentation in the center of the applicator. The product collects here and is absorbed into the fibers so that when you put it on, it's easy to get a thick, even application of the product on the lips with just one layer.

Like most stains, the product feels a little drying on the lips, even with the gloss aspect. It can also tend to look patchy on drier areas of the lips, so I suggest applying a lip balm before applying the stain gloss. It does not interfere with the application, although I can tell that it affects the staying power slightly. As far as the staying power itself, I can't back up the 10 hour claim...the color definitely wears off by six or seven hours, but really it depends on how much you rub your lips together, eat, drink and factors like that. I will say that this product does do a fantastic job of staying put and not transferring color. I applied a full coat of color, waited about 20 minutes, and then "kissed" my hand and was pleasantly surprised to find that the color did not transfer at all! And the appearance of the product on my lips remained unchanged.

This shade is pretty bright and dramatic for my skin tone, so I think it would be more suited for a night out look than a daytime look. However, I found that dabbing a little bit on my lips and blending it in and blotting gives the most gorgeous "just bitten" flush. Below are photos of the color on the lips (top: full color, bottom: blended and blotted with lip balm on top).

In my opinion, this product isn't necessarily a must-have, especially if you prefer more wearable colors for daytime, but if the "stain gloss" idea appeals to you, it might be worth it to pick up one of the bright shades and try it out.

DIY: fix cracked makeup

2012-07-03T10:04:00.003-07:00

I've been wanting to try this DIY for a very long time now and I finally tried it! The results turned out really good but at the same time, I noticed some changes in the texture and color, which were disappointing but in the long run, I am very pleased.

Materials:

Alcohol
Something to crush the makeup with (preferably the end of a big brush)
tissues (not necessary but will come in handy!)

The blush to begin with.

As you can see it's really messy and the packaging is dirty, so I cleaned it up and put the blush crumbles back in the tray.

Start breaking all of the crumbles and what is not yet completely crushed with the end of the brush.

Next, compress the blush down into the tray. I used my clean fingers at some points because it was a lot easier.

Last, put drops of alcohol in the blush and make sure it completely covers the whole surface.

I hope it comes in handy!

Spotted: New Drugstore Makeup Launches! (Photo Heavy)

2012-05-15T18:53:00.006-07:00

Bright Lipstick: Revlon "Love That Pink"

2012-05-03T19:57:00.003-07:00

I have been on the search for a bright lipstick for quite a while now, and today I finally came across Love That Pink by Revlon. It's from their Super Lustrous line (which I love a lot), and it's a creme finish. I would describe it as a bright, crisp, coral toned pink. In my opinion, it looks a little bit like MAC Impassioned, but a little less intense, and more on the warm side.

I purchased this lipstick at Target for $5.

I find the formula of this lipstick to be very moisturizing and lightweight on the lips. It does not settle into lines or feel drying. However, since it is very creamy, it has a tendency to slip a little bit outside of the lip line, so I would advise using lip liner with this lipstick.

I love the color and finish of this lipstick. It complements my skin tone quite nicely, as well. I think it would be gorgeous on a variety of skin tones, especially people with warmer skin.

This color is perfect for spring and summer! I would definitely wear it for a night out or even in the daytime for a pop of color.

Natural Lips

Revlon "Love That Pink"

Natural Lighting Swatch

Flash Swatch

Rockstar Ransom: An Enhancing Eye Look (Feat. UD 24/7)

2012-04-24T19:30:00.000-07:00

I wanted to show you guys this eye look I wore today--it features two of my favorite colored eyeliners: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on eye pencils in Ransom and Rockstar. They're both purple, but different shades.

For this look, all I did was line Ransom thicker and smudge it out, then put Rockstar closer to the lashline. Then, I added a shimmery eyeshadow in the inner corner and lined my waterline with white eyeliner to really help my eyes pop. Finally, I topped the look off with the Falsies mascara by Maybelline.

I have hazel eyes, so these gorgeous purples really enhance my eye color and make my eyes stand out.

Ransom is a bright, iridescent violet purple with a blue-ish duochrome.

Rockstar is a darker, more plum/eggplant color with brown-ish and burgundy undertones and some shimmer.

Natural lighting:

Flash lighting:

The 24/7 liners go on so smoothly and easily, and have really great staying power, not to mention the fact that they have tons of gorgeous shades. They retail for $19 from Sephora or www.urbandecay.com

Hope you enjoyed this post! Tell us your favorite eyeliners in the comments below!

FOTD in photos: Berry Pop

2012-04-22T15:08:00.001-07:00

Project 10 Pan: COMPLETED!

2012-04-22T11:01:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I started Project 10 Pan. For those of you who don't know, Project 10 Pan is basically where you aim to use up or "hit pan on" 10 makeup/beauty products. Until you do so, you're not allowed to buy any other makeup products.

Here are the products I hit pan on/used up:

-Bath and Body Works Midnight Pomegranate body mist

-Pantene Fine Hair Style spray gel root lifter

-Wet N Wild Natural Wear pressed powder

-Maybelline Stay Matte Pressed Powder

-Sonia Kashuk Hidden agenda concealer palette setting powder and green corrector (depotted)

-CoverGirl Shimmering Sands eyeshadow trio (center shade)

-Aerie Color Eyeshadow Palette (first shade)

-ELF clear brow gel

-L'oreal Clean Definition Telescopic Mascara

-Mini Size Benefit Posietint

See the pan?

I can't wait to go buy makeup now!! It took so much self control to complete this, but it has helped me save money and I'm so glad it's finally over.

Have you ever done Project 10 Pan? Did you fail, succeed? What did you think of the experience? Leave it in the comments below!!

OOTD: Spring!

2012-04-08T17:50:00.002-07:00

Since the weather is getting warmer and warmer everyday, I couldn't wait to do a OOTD post wearing shorts for you all! During the spring time, I really like to play with different colors a bit. It seems like all I wear during the winter are boring colors, so I get really excited to get to play around with fun colors!

Hair: I straightened my hair and french-braided it. To add to the look, I found a beautiful pink flower, and put it at the end of the braid.

Clothing:

Tank top- Gap

necklace- forever 21

shorts- forever 21

sweater- target

I hope you all enjoyed. Happy Easter!!

Favorite Cheek Products for Spring!

2012-04-06T20:26:00.004-07:00

Maybe you guys are over the "spring-themed" products idea, but I'm definitely not. One of the biggest parts of my makeup routine that changes in the springtime is cheeks. I step out of the boundaries of neutral or cool-toned blushes and lean more toward bright, shimmery colors, lots of highlighter, and bronzer. Once the weather starts warming up, it's fun to take risks and amp up your look with bright, glowing skin!

Here are some of my favorite picks for this season.

Stila Illuminating Powder in gold

This is a great powder to add a soft golden sheen to the face. I put it on the tops of my cheekbones and on my cupid's bow for a glowy look. You can also use this as an eyeshadow.

I'm actually not sure if this product is available right now, it might have been discontinued. However, MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish in soft in gentle is pretty on par with the shade and sheen that this gives.

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Pink Frosting

This is a gorgeous bubblegum pink with gold shimmer-perfect for that Barbie-doll flush.

Unfortunately, this product is also discontinued (I'm not doing this on purpose, I swear!) but Maybelline has since come out with their new Bouncy Blushes, and there is a shade also called Pink Frosting which delivers a similar (if not exactly the same) shade.

Also, I apologize for a few of these photos being sideways--I couldn't get them to rotate!

MAC Megametal eyeshadow in Tweet Me!

Now, you may be thinking, "this is an eyeshadow, not a cheek product!" But really, this eyeshadow can be multi purpose! It's a beautiful shimmery golden peach color that would look great as a highlighter or even blush. This was limited edition, but you may be able to find it at your local CCO (Cosmetics Company Outlet). A great dupe for this, though, is the MAC Pigment in Melon, which is a similar peachy gold shade.

Benefit Highbeam

I know I've shown this product in several posts already, but I just love it so much! It's an iridescent pinky pearl color that is universally flattering and puts a gorgeous sheen on the skin. I use it on my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose, and cupid's bow.

Stila Mango Crush Lip and Cheek Stain

I have previously mentioned this product in a lip products post, but I felt compelled to include it in this post because it gives a really pretty peachy coral flush to the cheeks with a bit of shimmer. Plus, since it's a stain, it stays on pretty much all day.

ELF All-Over Color Stick in Pink Lemonade

This isn't really a "pink lemonade" type shade...but it is a really pretty magenta hot pink with multicolor pearl. Since it's a cream product, it's really easy to work with and looks dewy on the cheeks. Plus it's only $1! I don't think you can beat that.

Stila "Sun Gel" Gel Bronzant

This is a gel bronzing product that comes out as an almost scary dark brown. But I find mixing it with a tinted moisturizer or foundation gives a really natural looking tan, sunkissed look. It's not cakey, powdery, or fake looking--it really just looks like you spent some extra time out in the sun!

Swatches of products in order of appearance: