Current Faves

We buy something new to give it a whirl. We instantly love it or hate it and have immediate buyer's remorse. Here are a few products I've tried over the last few months and I've decided are keepers!
Starting from top left, this is a mauve lip liner (pictured is from Urban Decay but my favorite is from The Body Shop - color: Clover). I use this shade to line my lips before applying my nude lipstick or nude lipgloss. It makes ALL the difference.
Next up, this Essie polish (in my top 3 shades of polish). This color, Fifth Avenue was first purchased for me by my now fiance and I recently had to restock because I use so often (winter AND summer). It's the ultimate red...not too blue...not too orange.
Next, my favorite shade of blue for summertime. This royal blue (by Sinful Colors --$2 at drugstores) looks so amazing on tan skin and is vibrant!
Erase Paste by Benefit is just my type of concealer. It's thick enough to hide my zombie-like dark circles but doesn't look cakey. Plus, a little bit goes a long way with this product so restocking is at a minimum.
This Revlon Colorburst Lip Stain stick was a surprisingly great product. I, for some reason, wasn't loving the idea but am so impressed. It has a refreshing mint flavor and the thick pencil helps with precision. Stays on all day - perfect for summer!
This Revlon Colorstay eyeshadow palette is a product perfect for any skin tone and all year round. I use the top two on a daily basis and add in the bottom two for evening! It's neutral enough to be paired with any lipstick shade!

Bought, Tried, Loved: My Current Faves

I love taking chances on products. There is some sort of thrill I get from feeling like I'm on the verge of finding my new absolutely can't live without product. Above are some of my recently-purchased products that I can't get enough of.
Let's start chatting about them...the first product I'd like to rave about is the facial brush in the top left corner. I bought mine at HomeGoods...yes, HomeGoods. My face feels noticeably more clean after using this in conjunction with my favorite face wash (Neutrogena). Best part of this brush is that I like it better than the electronic version, yet it was under $5.
Next up, the Sonicare. My mom and dad swear by these electronic toothbrushes and bought my boyfriend and I matching ones for Christmas. What a gift! Never have my teeth felt cleaner! I can't imagine now going back to manual brushing. Yes, these are a little pricey. However, dentists insist that these are a necessary part of dental hygiene. You can find these at Target, Walmart, etc.
Burt's Bees facial cleansing clothes (cucumber) was another win for me. I typically use Neutrogena makeup removing cleansing clothes but wanted to switch it up. The cucumber scent is refreshing and soothing at the same time. Not to mention, definitely comparable in price to other wipe options.
This Dove shampoo (Oxygen line) is fabulous! If for nothing else, the scent is addictive. My hair feels squeaky clean and the Oxygen condition makes my hair feel like silk. I will be buying this again when it's time to restock (rare for me...I like experimenting).
This navy Revlon polish (in Urban) is my winter must-have for my nails! Don't get me wrong, I'm as into Linkin Park after Dark as the next gal but sometimes you need a fresher option. Navy nails are a bit more unexpected and of course, trendy.
This Origins GinZing eye cream is a Monday morning savior! This cream brightens your eye area and wakes those peepers up. I'm not a morning person so God bless this heavenly product! Thank you, Origins.
Garnier does it again...they have created this Blackhead Eliminating Scrub and it works! I originally purchased this for my boyfriend but have since then, stolen it for myself. This product contains charcoal which helps combat the dirt, oil and impurities that cause blackheads. Well done, Garnier...well done.

There you have it - if you are looking for some new products to take some chances on, I've laid them out for you!

Drugstore Products I Can't Live Without: Makeup Edition

Sure I have a ton of hair product faves, but of course, I have makeup must-haves too! Here are a few products that you can get at your local drugstore that if you try, I'm sure you'll love!

Baby Lips is the silkiest of lip glosses. My fave coworker, Sam, introduced me to it and now I'm an addict. I put it on and wear it alone or under my lipstick. It has the perfect amount of shine.

Milani Baked Blush is my NARS alternative. The best color is Coralina (comparable to NARS Torrid). Give it a go!

Revlon ColorStay liquid liner is a product I've been using for years. The felt tip end makes it easy to make a nice, clean line. For the cat eye look, this is a must!

L'Oreal Telescopic mascara is THE product that I depend on. I find it to be better than Benefit's They're Real...and THAT'S saying something.

Revlon ColorStay concealer makes my dark under eye circles vanish. The sponge tip helps with easy application and it doesn't come out too quickly so it's manageable. If I didn't use this, I'd look like a zombie.

Rimmel Stay Matte powder (I use the translucent shade) is another keeper. After I apply my concealer and foundation, I dust this lightly on my entire face, focusing on my t-zone and under my eyes to lock in the concealer. Next up, bronzer! This powder is good for touch ups throughout the day to downplay oil and shine. 

Work it at Work

Just because you are going to work, doesn't mean you can't wear work-appropriate, pretty makeup. To get my everyday look, I start by filling in my eyebrows with Ulta's brow pencil in warm brown. Next, I apply eyelid primer to entire eyelid. Once my lids are primed, I use e.l.f. Golden Bronzer (comes with four shades and doubles as eye shadow), placing the lightest champagne hue in the inner corners of my eyes and on my brow bone. I then apply a medium brown shadow to the majority of my eyelid, adding a dark chocolate brown to the crease and outer area (I use L'Oreal's Wear Infinite Studio Secrets in Rose Fields). Using a Q-tip, smudge that same dark chocolate brown along your bottom lashes instead of liner. Finish up with liquid liner (my favorite is Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen in Black) and a few coats of mascara (I mix Bad Gal and Maybelline's Colossal Volum' Express). This look is subtle enough to pair with a bold lipstick or keep it low-key with gloss. 

Here Kitty Kitty

If you know me, you know I love kitties. I love them enough to love a sweater than has a kitty on it. Plus, I saw these shoes and just had to figure out an outfit to go with them. The clutch with hardware adds a little edge to the softness. These Lady Gaga-esqe sunglasses brings a little sass to the sweet sweater and ballerina-like shoes and pearls. Meeeeow.

Mad About Makeup

Since I was little and sneaking into my mother's makeup stash, I have been addicted to doing my makeup, other people's makeup and well...talking about makeup. I have a huge pet peeve with ladies who do crazy smoky eyes with a bold lipstick. It's one or the other, honey. When I do a fun lipstick, I do a very neutral eye shadow, a little liquid eye liner and mascara. Looking like a clown is not cute. I've tried it all but this Revlon liquid liner is my favorite. For this lipstick, try Sephora's Mr. Lover.