Saturday, July 26, 2014

How Do We Feel About Lip Liner?

The first rule of lipstick is to set a good foundation.  Without it you stand to have a meltdown, a smudge fest, or feathering in all those lines you never though you had.

What one product can help all of this stop happening? Lip liner.


                                                       Oldie but this stuff stayed put all darn day

There are nude liners, ones made to match the lipstick of your choice, ones made to stand out, and some people even use eyeliner as a lip liner depending on the look they are trying to achieve.  Whatever way you go I'm here to tell you it's never too late to start wearing lip liner, and it may just be the thing to change how you view lipstick.

First step is to decide what color liner you're going to use.  Are you wearing a nude lip?  A nude liner a shade darker can really define your lips so they don't melt into your face.  Are you wearing a bold lip?  Try using a liner relatively close to the color you're wearing.  It won't take away from the statement you want to make, and it will keep that color on your lips and off the rest of your face.  Are you wearing a really dark lip?  No matter the color you're putting on, stay away from the black liner for everyday wear.  It can create some really pretty lips, but it can also look like you lost a bet, or your makeup case.  Go for a dark purple, or burgundy.  It can blend into the lips without leaving a harsh line, looks flattering under almost any deep shade, and if you mess up you won't have to start all over, you can just blend it into the lip.




 Second step is to take a serious look at your lips. Are they full?  Thin?  Is your smile lopsided?  All things to consider when you plan out what you want your final look to be.  Full lips you say?  Well you lucky ladies your job is easy.  Just make sure you keep your outline to the edge of the lip, or even riiiiight to the inside, and you're good to go.  Thin lipped?  Well did you know that there is such a thing as overdrawing your lips?  No, not like Ronald McDonald, but just ever so slightly going outside your top or bottom lip can give the look of fuller lips without any injections.  Just be careful not to go too crazy.  Lop sided smile?  Well hello friends I feel you on this one.  One side of my lip is higher than the other, just slightly, but it always is a pain when it comes to lining your lips.  If you want the real tip on how to fix our little problem, the trade secret, think x.  Any questions?  Keep reading.

Next step is the actual application.  Age old trick the internet taught me (thank you internet) , is to make an x where your cupids bow is.  The hardest thing for me is to get my top lip to match on both sides, and this gives you a great starting point.  Don't rush, and don't press down so hard you end up breaking off the tip of the liner.  Go slowly, and make small lines instead of one solid sweep.  You can always go back over it to darken or fill in the liner if you think it needs a touch up.

What's next you say?  Well dolls that is all up to you.  You can fill your whole lip in with liner to give yourself a solid base of color, or you can put the liner down, blend the edges, and put some lipstick on.  Show the world what an artist you are and take that pout outside, you are officially your own Davinci.




Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Birchbox July 2014


Well me oh my, I've been a fool.  I've sat here the past few month's enamored with Ipsy and upset with Birchbox, and this month I'm eating my words.  As a matter of fact, I'm not even reviewing this month's Ipsy bag it's that disappointing.  Instead, here's a look at the goodies I got in this month's Birchbox, and let me tell you right now, they're good'uns.




100% Pure Honey Cream Wash in Gingerade:  I actually got two of these tiny little packets, and since I haven't opened them yet I'm not sure what they smell like.  100% Pure seems to be a brand Birchbox likes a lot, since I always seem to find these little samples in their boxes, but I can say I'm always intrigued and always happy with the products. I'm going to bring these up North with me when I go on vacation because nothing makes me happier than mini products when I'm away from home.

Klorane Extra Gentle Dry Shampoo:  I reviewed another dry shampoo by Klorane a while ago, and if you haven't read it you can right here.  When I saw this in my box I literally groaned, but upon closer inspection I realized it was a different type of dry shampoo.  Huzzah!  One more dry shampoo to try and  make me a convert to the stuff?  I'm game.

Vasanti Detox Nutrient Rich Purifying Facial Cleanser:  I'm having a horrible bout of acne right now and seeing this in my box made me do a little jump for joy.  Anything to clear out my angry pores, and diminish my bumpy face, I'm very welcome to introduce to my skincare routine.



Naobay Body Radiance Lotion:  I never use this kind of lotion on my skin (body butters only please say my dry scaly legs), but I am in constant need of lotion throughout the day.  This smells like citrus and makes me think of lemonade and summer cocktails.  This is going straight into my "bring this to work" pile.

Sumita Eyeliner in Navy:  I have a thing for navy liner.  I rarely wear it, never have time to match it to my outfit, but I love it.  It's perfect for a night out, when you want to look "mysterious", and it always makes people stare just a second too long.  This formula is creamy, sets in no time, and it hard as I don't know what to get off, everything that makes a liner a good liner.

I love this month's box.  I will use everything, I like everything, I have plans for everything.  Love. 

Keep it up Birchbox, whatever you've done differently keep doing it. 

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Sample Society Subscription Box July 2014

Lately I feel like all I post are subscription reviews, and here is another one!  This is the newly re-vamped Allure Sample Society Beauty Box.  Seeing as I loved the old box so much I'm a little worried about what might happen to this subscription, but if this box is any indication you can keep em coming Allure!


 

butter LONDON Nail Polish in Champers:  I am just a tab bit in love with every butter LONDON polish I've received in beauty boxes and this is no exception.  A lovely rose gold glitter polish that will be perfect on my toes on my up coming vacation.

Maison Francis Kurkdijan Aqua Universalis Perfume:  To me this smells like summer.  Fresh citrus, light and airy, perfect for hot days.  One thing I can say about this is the packaging made me giggle, and if I could make any suggestion it would be to use a different picture in your samples.  Otherwise your fragrance is beautiful.


Fekkai PrX Reparatives Hair Mask: It smells like a vanilla body butter I want to smother myself in, but it's made for your hair.  Even if it doesn't work miracles, if it leaves my hair smelling like it smells in the container I will love it.

Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Highlight 01:  Not too glittery, not too crazy, perfect to give a nice summer glow.  I'm sold.

L'Oreal Color Riche Extraordinaire Lipgloss in Coral Craze:  Remember when I said I was recently converted to a lipgloss girl?  This ticks every box when it comes to color, shine, and feel.  Now all I need is a black maxi dress, a straw sun hat, and a cocktail and I'm ready for vacation.

What are my thoughts on this month's box?  I love it.  I really really do.  It's a perfect mix of makeup, haircare, and misc..  I am so excited to see what next month brings, and if it's anything like this month I may just squeal.


Do you subscribe to any beauty boxes?  Do you own any of the products from this month's box?  If so, what do you think of them?

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Blush Mystery Beauty Bag July 2014


Hey There Dolls,

It's that time again!  Time to review July's Blush Bag!  To say I'm a little excited is definitely an understatement.




Great Barrier Island Bee Co. Manuka Honey Hand and Nail Cream: Well that was a mouthful.  This delicious smelling hand cream is super moisturizing.  I love little hand cream samples, they are perfect for bringing to work and throwing them in my apron.

Smart FX Smart Eye Wrinkle Lift: The claims are that this little tube makes wrinkles disappear instantly and makes under eyes look like you slept for days.  Since that's the only reason I would use it (hello sleepless nights, I wish I missed you), I'll be gifting this to my mom.

Julien Farel Zero Frizz Restore Treatment: Bold claims of bringing any hair back to it's virgin status I am dying to try this bad boy out.  My poor damaged hair needs a little pick me up after these hot and humid days.

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel: I actually bought these for my mom from Sephora about a year ago, and she said she liked them, so fingers crossed here people.  My only complaint is there is only one treatment, but I guess if I really want them after I use it I can pop on over to Sephora and pick some up.



Rouge Bunny Rouge Lip Gloss in Two Rich Lovers: This is a frosted nude/pink gloss.  Now, I don't think I'm ready for this particular type of gloss,  but it won't be summer forever.  Maybe I'll get bolder by then.

Cattiva Waterproof Automatic Lip Pencil in Nude:  I hear Kylie Jenner's lip color calling my name, and this nude is the perfect mix of 90's brown and rusty red to satisfy every liner craving I'm currently having.  Oh, and it's waterproof.  Double win!

All in all I loved this month's bag.  I will use almost everything and the things I won't use will be gifted to people who I know will love them. 

Are you subscribed to Blush Mystery Beauty Box? 

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

NYX Butter Gloss in Apple Strudel


Can I just say this little beauty may have started me on my summer lip color binge?  Not only that, but it also may have officially converted me to a lip gloss girl?








NYX Butter Gloss in Apple Strudel

First Impression: Eh, another gloss.  I like the color, I've heard good things about this, but eh, its another gloss.
 
After Application:  What?  I like this.  I like the color, I like how it feels, I like it.  Dare I say I love it?  I love it.
Overall:  I know, I know, all really big claims for such a little tube, but it's true!  I've been trying to avoid lip color this summer, silly me, but after getting this NYX Butter Gloss in my June Ipsy Bag I've been craving a little bit of color in my everyday.  Now to the claim this may have been the gloss to convert me to a gloss girl.  It's not another sticky goopy messy gloss like the others in my collection.  It's smooth, doesn't make everything stick to it, doesn't attract my hair like a magnet, the color is just enough to make a statement without looking overdone, and it's just glorious.  
Repurchase: I would.  Maybe in a more mauve pink color, but I would. 
 

It's opened my eyes to how wonderful a good gloss can be and how much I've been missing by avoiding a good lip color.  Do you own any of the NYX Butter Glosses?  What shades do you like the best?

Friday, July 4, 2014

Nicka K Shimmer Eyeliner in Green

Who's ready for a review?


Nicka K Shimmer Eyeliner

First Impression: Shimmer eyeliner?  Is this gonna flake off and get in my eyes?  Is this going to make me look like a disco ball?  Is this stuff even going to work?  I'm concerned.
 
After Application:  Mermaid.  I feel like a gosh darn mermaid.  Where has this been all my life?

Overall: At first I thought the idea of shimmer eyeliner was a little absurd.  Who is going to wear green shimmery eyeliner after the age of 13?  Me, that's who.  This makes me feel spunky, and pretty, and it brings out the green in my eyes, and I love it. The formula goes on a little thin at first but two swipes and it's fully opaque.   It can be a little tricky to apply if you try to get a fully opaque line in one try, but if you go slow and draw the outline first and then fill it in the payoff is amazing.  I included a picture of the applicator so you guys could see what it looks like.  It's plastic/silicone and it's surprisingly not as hard or hurtful as I initially thought.  It leaves a precise line that's comparable to a brush if you learn how to work it correctly. I also included a picture so you guys can see that this can actually be made into a wearable look (this liner is the one on my top lid with the Kat Von D Tattoo liner in Trooper in a very thin line under it, and on the lower lash line is the butter LONDON Wink eye pencil in inky six.)  I've dubbed them mermaid eyes.  I'm obsessed, don't judge me.
 
Repurchase: I would.  I think that for the price (I found the range for $2.99 a piece HERE) this stuff is more than worth it.  It's perfect for summer, they have some darker shades I can see myself pulling off in the winter, and I am more than impressed with this product.  

Are you a fan of shimmery/bright liner?  Do you have any suggestions on what brands to try?