Favorite "Now" Fragrance

My coworker, Kelsey, always smells absolutely amazing and come to find out, it's this fabulous fragrance that smells oh-so-divine. Not sure if you're ready to commit? Try a rollerball of a fragrance (around $25, perfect for throwing in your purse or travel) and test out the scent before making your wallet take the hit on the entire bottle. 

Major Mint

It's that time of the week - Mani Monday! Loving this mint shade (Mint Sorbet is the exact Sally Hansen hue) for this week's self manicure. This polish goes on evenly and only takes 2 coats to get a good solid look (not always the case with pastel or lighter shades). Plus, this brand is only a few dollars at Ulta...good deal in my book!

Honey, They're Real

I'd been hearing fabulous things about Benefit's mascara so of course, I had to try it for myself. "They're Real" has a wand that has a spiky end helping to add volume after you've done the traditional mascara application. While I do think it works well, I'd have to say, L'Oreal's Telescopic mascara worked just as well on my lashes and is a fourth of the price. I can't deny that Benefit's version probably does have better ingredients, in the end, all that matters to me is how big, long and luxurious my lashes look. Telescopic, for an over value and bang for my buck, you win.

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. 

Toodles YSL, Hellooo NYX

I am very partial to my YSL red lipstick. I like the richness, how smoothly it goes on and how dang cute the gold case it (which totally doubles as a mirror in a pinch). However, just because I'm happily married to the YSL lipstick, doesn't mean I'm not constantly looking for say...a replacement. I may have found one. While browsing Ulta for gifts for others, I came across the perfect gift for myself. This NYX lip cream (applied like a gloss, looks and stays like a lipstick) is the ultimate and is under $5. This particular shade, Spicy (duh), is so sassy. Idiot-proof red lips for $25 less...genius.

Nothing Better than Butter

You know you have a true friend when they read your blog and take notes on what you might want for your birthday. Thank you, Christen for my Lips and Tips gifts! This nail polish is the ultimate color for Christmas...the perfect mixture of holiday red and sparkle! The lipgloss is equally as festive and pretty (more bold in person). You better believe I will be sporting this gloss and polish to our company Christmas party. 'Tis the season for the prettiest lips and tips. Available at Nordstrom, Ulta and more!

Prime It, Conceal It, Work It

If you have never used Benefit's Boi-ing concealer, well then, honey...you are missing out. It's one of those makeup basics that is worth the money. A thicker paste than some cheapies, this concealer camouflages your flaws from under-eye circles to blemishes. This 2-in-1 compact I recently purchased also contains Benefit's Lemon Aid...the ultimate color-correcting eyelid primer. With this primer, you can count on your eyeshadow showing up more true to color and staying on all day/night. Find this combo at Ulta.