Makeover: Pretty & Pink for Valentine's

My Christmas tree is taunting me from the corner, goading me to wrap all of the shiny ornaments back beneath layers of newspaper and bubble wrap. The holidays were particularly awesome this year, which I'll tell you all about some day when I need to remember our 2014 festivities during the dry lull of January-February.

 BUT, I was lucky enough to have a visit from Lex's hilarious little sister, Katie. Normally, she's out in Hawaii, enjoying the never-below-70 weather and golden sand and hula skirts (this is how I imagine Hawaii, having never been to that paradise). She kindly agreed to allow Lex & I to play makeup, and this look was the result--I'm a big fan of how soft & pretty it all turned out.

Try out some of these products if you're venturing out on Valentine's Day. Namely the lipstick & mascara,  because they're kind of amazing.

Foundation: Tarte Amazonian Clay / Bronzer: NYX Matte Bronzer / Blush: theBalm Swiss Dot

Eyeshadow: Naked 2 Palette / Eyeliner: L'Oreal Infallible / Mascara: Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes

Lips: Maybelline Mad for Magenta

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Linking up over here today:
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson 
From My Front Porch to Yours 

Beauty Gift Ideas

 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7

 Happy holidays, friends! Are you done with your Christmas shopping yet? I purchased my last gift last night--a pair of troll slippers for my 13-year old brother--and I'm beyond ecstatic that I can throw away my shopping list and focus on wrapping presents! With that being said, I have to admit that I had so much fun shopping for beauty items to give to friends, family, and co-workers, and wanted to share some of my favorite items with you today. I can guarantee you that all 7 of these items are fabulous and well worth the money.

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Linking up over here today:

Coastal Charm 

A Stroll Through Life 

Oombawka Design 

New Nostalgia 

The Cookie Puzzle 

A Simple Pantry 

Savvy Southern Style 

Bajan Texan 

Oh My Heartsie Girl 

Winter Nails

Hello, hello.

A snippet of the colors I will be cycling through this winter. They are all fabulous. If I could send all of you a package with these four beauties, I would.  Here are the deets: 

Essie's No More Film: This dark blue sometimes looks violet. In my book, that's the best kind of blue there is. Also, cheers for a one-coat polish. A+ in opaqueness. 

Essie's Wicked: My husband picked this out and allowed me to jump on the vampy nails bandwagon. Unlike No More Film, it's a two-coater. But it lasts for days and you'll be right on trend.

Revlon's Copper Penny: The color is a happy, happy marriage of rose goldy-coppery beauty. But beware. As many metallic polishes go, the texture is a little rough without a topcoat. But Revlon also makes an awesome topcoat, so you can pick them up in the same aisle.

Sally Hansen's Insta-Dry in Expresso: This post could also be title "AN ODE TO SALLY HANSEN INSTA-DRY". The brush is enormous. It dries fast. It lasts for a long time. Usually they take one coat. And it's cheap. This color in particular hints at the 90's comeback that's been all the rage these days.

Now, my hunt for a winning base coat still continues. Throw suggestions at me. 

Perfectly Pink Lips

I've never been one of those people that gets a golden tan every summer, and as a result I'm usually pasty white year-round. I've had to find other ways to add some color to my face and the fastest way for me to do that is swiping on some lipstick or lipgloss as I run out the door.

The first lipstick I ever bought was a super light pink one that I picked up from Target, but I quickly realized that it wasn't doing much for me; I looked just as washed out as ever. Over time I tried various shades of pinks from all different brands but I never found a lipstick that I was totally and completely in love with.  Fortunately, Andy saved the day when she gave me Mac Creme Cup for Christmas last year. It's been a staple in my makeup bag since and I don't see that changing anytime soon. She also recently gave me the Creme Brûlée NYX Butter Gloss and I've become quite the fan.

I love wearing them separately, but wearing them together, man, that's what dreams are made of! Although Creme Cup is a matte lipstick, it doesn't dry out my lips while adding that color I desperately need. Applying the Creme Brûlée lip gloss on top adds the perfect amount of shine, and the color really compliments the shade of the lipstick.

To all of my fair-skinned friends out there, I can't recommend this combo enough(!!) and you should check out this post on sunless summer tan products to get that perfect golden tan.

Happy Monday!

simple, sweat proof, summer time makeup

Urban Decay All Nighter / NARS Sheer Glow / Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer

Calvin Klein Mascara / Clinique Chubby Stick in Pudgy Peony / NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brûlée

theBalm Instain Blush in Swiss Dot / theBalm Cindy Loumanizer / Ulta Sculpting Palette in Astoria / NAKED 1

When the hot July sun heats the world up to a sticky 104 degrees & you spend the first part of the day alone in a little corner office, makeup is often axed from your morning routine (read: ain't nobody got time for that). But, here's what I pull from my makeup drawer when I want a little summertime color that won't melt off my face into a foundation-lipstick puddle. The key is using a setting spray like Urban Decay's All Nighter before and after application. After that, your make up might as well be glued to your face.

On a side note, let's take a moment to ooooh and awwwe over theBalm's Instain blushes. If these babies ever go on sale at Hautelook again, grab yourself a couple & enjoy a pigmented color that will last and last and then last some more.

Not noted are a few fabulous items: the black waterproof eyeliner from Jane & MAC Pro Longwear Concealer used as an eyeshadow primer.

What are your favorites for the heat? My mascara's on it's last leg & I'm on the hunt for something new.

Fourth of July Style

shirt // shorts //sandals // lipgloss // polish //earrings // necklace //watch

I'm a giant, big, huge, ginormous sucker for the Fourth of July! Over the last few years it's quickly become one of my favorite holidays and here's why:

1) America is so great, she gets the biggest birthday party of the year.

2) Red, white, and blue.

3) Hamburgers and pie with family and friends.

4) Fireworks (especially sparklers).

5) A day off of work.

Do yourself a favor and find some red, white, and blue to sport tomorrow and make sure you get a bite of some cherry pie! 

{inexpensive} sunless summer tan

       

     I come from the palest of pale families, as illustrated by the fact that a few weekends ago my dear husband asked me why in the world I was wearing white tights in the middle of summer, to which I replied that I definitely wasn't wearing tights. No sir, just my own (very fair) complexion. Most days, I’m perfectly content to pair my shorts and summer skirts with white legs. But there are those times—namely during hot, whip-out-the-bathing-suit vacations & fancy date nights—where I like to get my tan on. A little bit of a tan evens out discoloration and covers veins without pantyhose. (Pantyhose. Does anyone still call them that/have a pair lying around?) 

Without further ado, here are my recommendations and favorites at the moment:

  1.  Tanwise Mousse. I love it because it comes off as more of a gold-toned tan instead of a red-toned tan on my skin, which seems to counteract my natural pink tones. It also (with maintenance) lasts me a good week, often has coupon deals at Sally's, and has been gentle enough for my face as well. 

 2. Jergen's Natural Glow-Firming. This is what I use to maintain the good ol' fake bake by using it morning and evening as a gradual tanner. Every now and then while I’m wearing this, I’ll get a whiff of that nasty self-tanner smell. It's not overwhelming, but you've been warned. As a side note, I do notice a different with the +Firming vs the regular.

      3.  Sally’s Airbrush Legs. I used to use the spray-on version of this, which I loved, but strayed away from because it came off glittery. I’ve heard rumors that they now have a non-shimmery spray, but I've switched to the liquid version. No self-tanning needed—this stuff is makeup for your legs. It won't transfer to clothing and comes off with a good scrub. (I mix a few drops in with my body lotion—it can be a little tricky to rub in evenly otherwise!)

     Happy July to you and yours!