Friday Beauty - Pretty in Pinks

It's been a while since I've blogged about anything beauty. To be perfectly honest, I haven't really done anything super beautiful around here lately. I rarely wear makeup anymore, I hardly get the chance to paint my nails, and I only wear lipstick when taking blog photos. I'm a fraud. A sham. But I've never claimed to be a beauty expert. I just simply blog about the things I've tried, dislike, and truly love.

So when I opened the recent Sandra Lee magazine, a magazine I purchase monthly, and saw their Blooming Beauty spread, I was inspired! It's all about pretty little pink cosmetics to try and I want to try them all! Then it got me thinking about the pinks that I use often in the spring and summer, so I created a little college of all things pink! Read on....

I love MAC lipsticks and one of my favorite spring colors is Girl About Town (upper left corner). It's actually the first bright pink I ever purchased and I never looked back! And if I'm wearing it on my lips, I should probably wear it on my nails! Girl About Town comes in a nail lacquer and I'm so excited!! But I'm loving Show Orchid (bottom right corner) that was featured in Sandra Lee. It verges on purple, but it's simply lovely! Lastly, I really want to try their Playland Casual Colour in Young At Heart. It's a lip and cheek color in one, which is definitely a must-have for your handbag cosmetics! Nothing like a multipurpose touch up in a cute little tub!

When I get to polish my nails, I gravitate toward pinks for spring. Essie is a go-to and Cascade Cool is new for spring (bottom left corner), one I love wearing for a subtle hint of color. For a big pop of color, I'm loving the new Love Sheen from their Silk Watercolors collection (upper right corner). 

I'm a huge Clinique fan. As you all know, I swear by their 3-Step cleansing program and I frequently wear their cosmetics. They now have a cheek contouring palette that I would love to play with. I'm not sure how to contour, so I'm thinking I need a tutorial, and I'm totally up for the challenge. And those cute little pods are dual-sided lip treats that have a sugar-smoothing scrub on one side and a tinted moisturizing balm on the other. And the Pink Framboise is gorgeous!

Actually, all these shades of pink are gorgeous and there is no way you won't be pretty in pink. Side note: Did you know that this year is the 30th anniversary of Pretty in Pink? One of the best 80s movies, in my opinion, and who didn't love Duckie Dale!?! 

Okay, I digress. Are any of these hues going to be on your spring and summer makeup radar? I know they are on mine! Seriously, I can't wait to test out some of these products and report back. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it right?

Happy Friday, Beauties!

Friday Beauty - Clinique Cleansing Brush

 Cleansing Brush; Liquid Facial Soap; Foaming Sonic Facial Soap; Dramatically Different;

Repairwear Under Eye Cream; Superdefense

It was a happy Valentine's Day earlier in the month when I received my own Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush! My mom gave me this amazing gift and I've fallen victim to its awesomeness! If you haven't jumped on the cleansing brush bandwagon, now is the time to do it!

I started using the brush immediately, I'm on week two or so, and I've seen such a difference. And I feel a difference too. I told my mom after the first use that I honestly felt like my skin was already soft. I told her thought I was crazy for thinking that after one use, but she confirmed I wasn't. She has been using hers since January and she felt the same result. The Cleansing Brush is a dermatologist-developed sonic brush that offers deep yet gentle cleansing for skin. In one cleaning, it sloughs off all the dead skin. And the two bristle types target cleansing in hard-to-reach, contoured areas of the face where dirt hides, as well as an angled tip that purifies pores and thoroughly cleanses your T-zone.

The brush is waterproof so it's great for the shower! You simply apply either the liquid face soap or the foaming sonic facial soap, in a small amount, and let the bristles do all the work! The bristles are not rough on the skin, but you do need to follow the recommendation first time use. 

After that, you follow up with the 3-Step program designed for you. 

 Cleansing Brush; Liquid Facial Soap; Foaming Sonic Facial Soap; Dramatically Different;

Repairwear Under Eye Cream; Superdefense

I can say that I've had a few breakouts but nothing horrible. They were in my T-Zone so clearly the brush is working! I'm not kidding when I say to take the plunge, make the splurge, and get yourself a cleansing brush! You won't regret it. Your skin will thank you. And, it will be the best investment you make this calendar year!! 

Happy Friday, Beauties!

Friday Beauty - Red Lips

Finding the right red lipstick can be like finding a needle in a haystack. However, Gwen Stefani and Taylor Swift seem to have had zero problem finding their favorite! I used to be highly intimidated by lipstick, reds especially, but then my mom visited a MAC counter in the late 90s and brought home Del Rio. I was hooked! But just like finding your prince, you have to kiss a lot of toads! I've tried my fair share of red lipsticks, but I've finally found the four I wear the most. 

The trick to finding the right shade, is to pick one that doesn't appear to yellow your teeth when you smile. If it has even a hint of coral in tone, walk away! You want one with more of blue-red base. This will give you a darker sheen, but it will give you a 1,000 watt smile! Below are my four go-to reds! 

Left to Right:

L'Oreal Extraordinaire by Colour Riche in Ruby Opera

Clinique Long Last Lipstick in Red Drama

Clinique Different Lipstick in Angel Red

MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo 

They range from sheer to full on color. The L'Oreal is the sheerest all of four. It's not sticky like a gloss, but goes on with that same gloss feel. Angel Red is also sheer, but with a little more color. Red Drama is full color that's deep in hue. And Ruby Woo is a matte that lasts all day, a ruby red, and MAC's number one selling red! I love it. I've put together a little collage below!

As for Taylor and Gwen? Taylor has been known to wear Lip Perfection Lipstick in Flame from Cover Girl. As for Gwen, she has used L’Oreal Infallible Le Rouge in Ravishing Red. Great drugstore brands that have already been color tested and approved!

Are you a red kind of girl? Want to be one? Start sheer, and if you love it, go bold! You won't regret it!

Happy Friday, Beauties

Friday Beauty - A Smokey Eye

 Over the weekend I attempted my first smokey eye. I've read about how to apply them over and over and over again, yet I've always been so fearful of trying. That is until I purchased the Clinique All About Shadow Quad in Smoke and Mirrors. It literally has a step by step guide on the mirror and corresponding numbers on the shadow liner. They even number the sponge applicators that are included. Now, I'm not an applicator kind of girl. I use brushes and have for years. I feel the shadows go on a lot smoother and it's easier to apply more or less color when needed or desired. In my opinion, the sponge applicators just seem to soak up the shadow. 

In the first photo, you will see all the tools I used (they are what I use on a daily basis), and I will touch on how I used them during the application process. This really is the easiest smokey eye you can ever do!

I have my quad, all of my brushes, my concealer, my MAC paint, mascara, and Clinique primer. Did you know that Clinique made a primer? Me either and more on that in a different post.

 

First up, I always, always, always use a primer on my lids. ALWAYS! It just highlights the shadow and doesn't allow it to settle into the crease after a full day of wear. Honestly, if you aren't using one today, you should be! I swear by the MAC paints.

Here's the quad and your step by step guide. Just apply the shadow where the diagram indicates. So easy!!

 

 

Apply the highlight color to just below the brow bone and just to the top of your crease. I used a flat wide brush when applying my highlighter.

 

For step number two, use a fluffier tipped brush to really get in the crease. One important tip, wherever you apply the shadow is where it will be its heaviest. I try to shoot for just off the corner of the crease and blend out and in from there. If you're using the sponge applicator, go light at first and add more as needed!!

  

Use the same brush for step number 3 and start applying from the inside corner of the crease and blend toward the center.

Once you have applied both steps 2 and 3, go back in with a fluffy blending brush to combine. You don't want to see definitive lines from where you started and stopped both shadows. Work in a circular motion while blending.

Step four is the eyeliner shadow. I love a shadow liner and I've used one for as long as I can remember. You have complete control over how much, or how little, you use at one time. And, it goes on so much easier than an eyeliner stick. Use a small angle brush to apply. (If you are using the applicator, apply using just the tip.)

I load up the brush and start from the dead center of my eye and work my way to the outer corner. I work with tiny brush strokes as I go. Almost like I'm connecting dots. Reload the brush with more shadow as needed. Once I have the line I want, I reload my brush and then start from the inner corner of my and apply to the middle.

For a smokey eye, line both the top and bottom lash lines. For the bottom, I start at the outer corner, staying as close to the lash line as I possibly can, and go to just past the center of my eye. Blend, blend blend! You don't want to see your bottom lash line liner!

Then load up your lashes with your fav mascara. I've been using Maybelline Great Lash for about a month, not a fan, so for this look I went with Clinique's High Impact Mascara. A new mascara, a sample provided by Clinique, that I'm currently testing. 

I am one who hates to see spider eyes, think Tammy Faye Baker, so I go back in with a mascara brush to smooth out any clumps that have formed. Plus, I try to make them as full as possible.

 And here is the final look!

When going with a heavy eye, keep everything else light. I went for a very light, sheer blush, and nude lip. You want only one thing to shine in this look and that's the eye! For my cheeks, I used Stila Convertible Color in Lillium. For my lips, I used Chanel lipstick Rouge Coco in Sycomore and gloss #237.

What do you think of a smokey eye? As intimidating as you thought it would be, or easy as pie with the help of this Clinique quad? Other brands that offer this kind of shadow are L'Oreal, Maybelline, and Revlon. Great drugstore brands that won't break the bank! 

I can't wait to hear your stories! Share them with all of us!

Happy Friday, Beauties!

My Beauty in 2015

In keeping with the New Year's theme of goals and resolutions, I am making a goal to try and blog more about beauty and the products I love and use repeatedly, products I really want to use, and the ones I end up trying. 

Lately, I've really neglected my facial routine, especially at night. I'm trying to make a concerted effort to get back into the cleansing process and not let busy nights and bedtime routines be an excuse. As most of you know, I'm a Clinique girl. I've been using their Three Step Program for over 20 years and I'm not about to change now. Don't worry, I will talk all about it in a later post. And while on my quest for clean healthy skin, I'm thinking of investing in a cleansing brush. Clinique has one that I'm researching, but after asking Lucky Magazine beauty editor Jean Godfrey June her opinion, to which she gave it her seal of approval, I'm not sure more research is needed!

I'm currently on the look out for a new mascara. I used a Clinique mascara for years and recently found out that they discontinued it. I was almost in tears! I've been experimenting with a few different brands and fell in love with the Chanel INIMITABLE mascara. But at $30 a tube, and being on a budget, I just can't swing it right now. So, I recently purchased "America's favorite" Maybelline Great Lash mascara. At $3.99 a tube, this is much more wallet friendly. I've only used it once so I will keep you posted on my thoughts. 

Other items I hope to chat about are my favorite drugstore finds, my go-to products for everyday use, makeup application tips that I've learned along the way, what to spend your money on and where to save, and I'm hoping to hear from you regarding topics you would like to have me tackle!

I'm excited about this new adventure in blogging! But, if you were hoping this was the big announcement I talked about yesterday, it wasn't!! Check back Monday for the big reveal! I can't wait! 

Happy Friday, Beauties! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

My First ModCloth

Jacket: My Mom's (similar); Tee: StyleMint (similar); Skirt: ModCloth; 

Belt: Banana Republic Outlet; Pumps: Banana Republic; Sunnies: MARC by Marc Jacobs; 

Bangles: Silpada; Necklace: My Mom's; Lip Color: Clinique Drama Red

A couple of months ago I blogged about the adorable nautical line from ModCloth and the items I was hoping to purchase. Well, I made my first purchase and finally got to wear the bold Chevron print skirt! I love this skirt! The colors are perfect for summer, the print is quickly becoming one of my favorites and it's pieces like this that make me wish I lived closer to the ocean. Can't you see this at a clam bake or sailing around the sea? Since I don't live close to any body of water, other than the public pool, I have alternate plans for styling this skirt!

For this major spring day, temps soared into the 80s, I paired it with the perfect tee from StyleMint. I wish I had ordered at least three because finding the perfect tee is like finding the perfect jean. And because the skirt came from ModCloth, I needed to add a few vintage pieces. My mom's denim jacket and sweet bird necklace were right on the money! And I added a bright red lip because don't all vintage inspired looks need a red lip?