These Lips Don't Lie...Well, Maybe a Little

I was just as intrigued as the next gal to find out how Kylie Jenner's lips suddenly got so plump and amazing. I mean, they honestly changed the way her whole face looks. So...I started Googling. And voila - I found the answer I needed. Not plastic surgery as I had worried. Instead, it's just a makeup trick being used since Marilyn Monroe's day - overlining! So, obvi I had to give this a go. I found a good color to try at The Body Shop (although, I know Miss Jenner uses Soar by MAC).
The key is to not overline all the way around your lips...mostly just the "v" at the top of your top lip and in the center on the bottom of your lower lip. Then, line the rest of your lip as you would normally...on the actual lip line. To achieve the look completely, you need to have a matte lip so just use the lip liner to fill in  your lips completely. Using a gloss can cast shine on your natural lip line and ruin the whole effect.
For some diminsion, you can add a lighter color on your bottom lip in the middle (a powder, lighter lip product, etc).
Above is a step-by-step of how I did mine and on the right, the finished look!

YOUNIQUE: Product Review

No mascara...(yikes...) 

Added black liquid liner and a coat of regular mascara (L'Oreal Telescopic...my drug store fave)

I FINALLY got the chance to try a product that I've been seeing everywhere and I can't wait to tell you guys about it! I am all about mascara and I am guilty of not caring if it has a "natural" look. I like thick, long lashes that say "Hello world, I am here and fab!" So, Younique is the ultimate product for me.

Here is how it works...
This eyelash enhancing duo (there are two tubes that make up this product) that plump up your lashes 300% in thickness and volume.

1.) Apply a thin coat of your favorite regular mascara on top and both lashes. Let dry.
2.) Apply an even coat of the Transplanting Gel (don't worry, it's black so just looks like mascara) on lashes.
3.) Before the transplanting gel dries, apply the fibers (applied with a mascara-style wand) onto lashes.
4.) Seal the fibers with another coat of the transplanting gel.

The fibers are 100% natural green tea fibers.

Interested in trying this MUST HAVE product? Contact Courtney Thacker at 317-796-2009 or courtney.thacker@sbcglobal.net or here. Courtney got me my Younique products in no time at all!

Beauty Must-Have

Alas! The perfect eyebrow product. I am currently cursed with sparse eyebrows...probably from overplucking back in my younger years. The gal who does my hair mentioned that she got her oh-so-perfect brows using Anastasia Dipbrow. I found it at my local Ulta and use the shade Medium Brown (seen above). It's a game changer. I use an angled brow brush to apply and I've never received so many compliments. My favorite part of this product is that it's a pomade (yes, like the hair product) and you can make it light or darker. 

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. 

Must Be Magic

One of my favorite beauty products right now is this L'Oreal Magic BB Cream. This product comes out of the tube white and then glides on to your skin while transforming into a shade of your choice (I wear medium). It's very light and doesn't look caked on. I top this product with a little powder for daytime. 

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!

Sharing a Steal

Of course we prefer NARS over Maybelline and YSL over Covergirl but whether you're cutting back on budget or in a pinch without a Sephora around (heaven forbid), I'm here to help you find a decent substitute for your usual pricey preferred products. I'm often a fan of using multi-colored bronzers as eyeshadow so when I broke my favorite NARS bronzer, I snagged this $3 replica from Target. To my surprise, I've put it to good use. I use the vanilla colored section as a highlighter in the inner corner of my eyes and on my brow bone. I alternate the other three colors on my eyelids. I also use the top right color down the bridge of my nose for a little additional contour effect (attracting focus to the slim part of your nose, makes your nose overall appear slimmer). 

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.

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.

Telescopic? Totes.

After hearing my coworkers raving about eyelash extensions - something that I'd love to try (if it wasn't going to cost me hundreds) - I have been trying to find the perfect mascara...a mascara that would give me a little more pow! So, how delighted was I when I found two new L'Oreal mascaras to try in my product package last week? Over the moon, sugar. I've tried the one above, Telescopic Shocking Extension. I'll admit...I'm a little hesitant about all of these new, funky brushes. I'm old school about my brushes...like my typical bristles. However, this one won me over. This product gave me the length I was looking for. I even had someone comment on my lengthy lashes today - boom. 

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!

Lost in L'Oreal

Receiving a massive box of free L'Oreal treats to try out - basically Christmas morning for a girl like me. Thank you to Allie who sent me these fabulous products to test and review! Ranging from hair masks to lipsticks to spring polishes, Allie sent me so many fun new products. Keep an eye out for product reviews so you know if these are products you'd want to try.

Fresh Faced

Living in the Southwest Florida in the summer means one thing: sweat. Not a much more attractive way to put it...perhaps "glisten"? Regardless, this type of heat does not allow you for a face caked with foundation and powder unless you're totally kosher with your face melting off 3 minutes after walking outside. This BB Cream is super moisturizing and light. With SPF 30, it's perfect for summer. Unlike some tinted moisturizers, this cream doesn't look oily. This specific brand of BB cream offers about 5 shades and is under $9. Bargain.

Berry Good, Sugar

I'm always game for a new lip product. Megan, my gal pal, gave me this Sugar (in Berry) lip balm/stick when she was in town and I'm obsessed. This product makes my lips soft but adds a nice berry tint, as well. Find this at Sephora. 

Precisely Plum

Add a little somethin' somethin' to your cosmetic wardrobe with a plum liner. Worn your makeup the same way everyday for every event, day or night? This is the perfect way to get out of a makeup slump. Smudge a deep purple liner along your upper and lover lashes, concentrating on the outer edge. Add a slightly dramatic cat eye effect for an extra trendy look. For a bolder look, try dabbing a Q-tip in a similar shade of shadow and use as a liner. 

Fit: Face-Friendly

Always on the market for new products...especially ones that make my face look a little less flawed and little more flawless. On one of my 384237 trips to Target, I swiped these Fit products by Maybelline. So far, so good! This line comes in so many shades - you are sure to find one that matches your skin tone perfectly. This foundation provides great coverage and the powder zaps shine. Not to mention, you won't be emptying your bank account because these products range around $5. Cha-ching!

Green Like Money, Honey

As I mentioned, green is the color of 2013...why not mix it into your makeup wardrobe as well?  Green shadow was a huge 2012 trend that will easily carry over into this year. Think less lime green and more metallic emerald green for a more tasteful look. If you are a tad nervous about this look, try a little green under your bottom lashes instead of eyeliner. Since this a bolder look, keep everything else simple with a subtle pink cheek and nude lips.

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. 

Faux but Flawless

I love any excuse to wear fake eyelashes. This NYE was another perfect, acceptable time for these faux feather-like lashes to take my makeup to the next level. My favorite brand, Ardell, makes these and are available at stores like CVS and Target for under $4. Ladies find their own process for fake lashes but I do my eye makeup in this order: 1) eyelid primer 2) apply fake lashes 3) eye shadow 4) eyeliner 5) mascara 6) eye shadow along bottom eyelashes

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.