Winter Must-Haves

Winter is among us, friends. Am I happy about it? No. But Mother Nature doesn't care what I think so I'll just be here in Chicago making the best of it. As you know, your makeup routine and products have probably changed a bit over the past month. The lips are getting darker and your skin is getting more dry. React accordingly. Swap out your typical hand lotion for a hand cream or even a body butter. Layer on chap stick before your lipstick or alone. While I'm complaining about the harsh winds and snow, you won't find me making a negative comment about finally getting to bust out my plum lipstick! Silver lining, everyone...silver.lining.

Prime That Pout

There is nothing more aggravating than realizing your luscious lipstick has worn off, leaving you looking haggard and less than put together. I thought lip liner was something only by the old schoolers. Turns out, it's kind of a big deal. A clear liner, like the one above (by Bite Beauty - available at Sephora), gives you lipstick staying power but didn't leave that trashy line. For extra long lasting lip color, fill in your entire mouth after lining your lips. Voila - pout perfection!

Kiss Kiss

The best part about moving is the decorating and not the "moving" itself...everyone knows that.  For my gallery wall, I chose five prints but decided to make the sixth one myself. What's more "me" than artwork made entirely of lipstick kisses? Finally an excuse to use all my lipstick shades in one day! Once framed, it looks fabulous!

Endless Red

LOVE LOVE LOVE this red lip stain from L'Oreal (Colour Riche Wet Shine Stain)! I was surprised to open this tube and find a wand...I was expecting traditional lipstick. This stain isn't too intense but does give your lips a pretty, glossy red tint. The teardrop-shaped applicator is by far the best for applying a lip product...perfectly hugging the curves of your top lip. I would highly recommend this product! 

Perfectly Pink

Nothing better than a fun, bright pink lipstick. Nothing. Except for...free fun, bright pink lipstick. This Laqa & Co. Lil' Lip in hot pink from Birchbox is fab. The pencil-like application gives you ultimate control and the sassy hue is major for bronzed summer skin. The lipstick even has a little light gloss to it so it's not too matte for the summertime. This product gets my seal of approval.

Red Fatale

For my first L'Oreal product review, I of course opted for the red lipstick first. This fun rouge product is call Infallible and was amazing! It stayed on really well throughout the work day and went on smoothly. It had enough moisture but didn't look glossy (which I don't like in a lipstick - just a personal preference). I only had to reapply this once the entire day - talk about a miracle. I would absolutely recommend this line of lipstick and I can't wait to try this same product in more colors! Cheers to the ever-fabulous red lip!

Lipstick Lover

Whoa obnoxious photo. But how else does one get across their point of how marvelous their oxblood lipstick is? Whatever. If you have lips made for lipstick, use them. This particular color is by Estee Lauder and is called Electrified. Who comes up with these names? Electrified clearly sounds like a hot pink. Either way, cheers to this shade. 

Onward and Ombre

Ombre is contagious. It's in our hair color...it's on our nails...and it's made it's way to our lips. I'm not sure I'll be running out to try this out in my salt life surroundings but if I was living in big city status in NYC, I'd give this a go. Why not? To get this look and for maximum staying-power, fill in lips with a bright red lipliner. Next, take a dark burgundy lipstick and smudge just along the center on your top and bottom lips. It kind of has a little vampy appeal, doesn't it? True blood lips, if you will.

Dark and Divine

I'm a lipstick fanatic so after ranting and raving all weekend about needing a darker red hue, I see this look as a fall makeup trend and I nearly fell out of my chair. Yes, it's intense but that's quite alright with me. Take a page out of this model's book from the Gucci fashion show and go light on the rest of your makeup. 

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.

Mandarin is Major

I can always be talked into a new shade of lipstick. Yes, it's a flaw of mine but there are worse flaws to have. I love my YSL red lip but it has a little pink to it. I needed a red with a hint of orange and boom...here it is. At my Fashion's Night Out event last week, I tried this color (Mandarin by Smashbox) and it is the bee's knees. It's not too thick and pasty-looking but it is matte...my fave. I'd suggest giving it a go and you can thank me later. 

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. 

Plum's So Posh

Fall is just around the corner which means new trends and a whole new color palette to work with. I am most excited about this plum lipstick, which I have been shamelessly wearing well before fall. My to-go lady at Sephora had this shade waiting on me last time I stopped in. Of course I thought it was too intense at first but now I look for excuses to wear it. Makeup artists say play up green eyes with purple liner or shadow...my vote is for plum lipstick.