Friday, March 28, 2014

Because it's Friday, it's Gonna Rain...

...and maybe I just wanted to sleep in a little more.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

New Hue Review: What a Cool Blue

If you follow me on Instagram (and you should), you know that I've amassed quite the collection of cobalt nail polish. Nudge nudge,wink wink. Here's a hint, click this link.

Go ahead and judge me, I don't care.

It is well documented that blue is my favorite color and I will buy any almost any bottle in existence (see photo above as Exhibit A), so Jin Soon's "Cool Blue" from her Spring 2014 was of course no exception. When I saw the swatch on All Laquered Up, I knew I had to add it to my collection. 

Blinded by Blue

While my thoughts on nail polish usually begin and end with "will I wear this color?," I can say that the formula on this blue is fabulous. It went on like buttah, and five days after wearing it--yes I have been wearing the same polish for five days, pick your jaw off the floor--it has only just begun to chip. In other words, this is a rave reblue. Yeah, I went there.

Get enabled here.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Fast Post Friday: I Told You So Edition

Remember this post I wrote almost three years ago? You probably don't so I'm here to remind you that I was way ahead of the curve, because orange lips have been smeared all over the beauty news recently. I don't call myself the Sensible Trendsetter for nothing, people!

So if you happened to follow my lead back in 2011, you should be more than prepared for Spring 2014. If you never took the leap, I'm here to offer up some of my favorites to get the look; most of them daring, a few a slightly more demure.




From the Top:
- Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in Heat Wave - The perfect bright red orange
- MAC Amplified in Vegas Volt - Leans on the coral side
- Urban Decay Super-Saturdated High Gloss Lip Color in Punch Drunk - True, glossy orange
- Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipstick in Siren - Lighter and brighter
- Revlon Moon Drops Creme Lipstick in Orange Flip - A creamy, darker, true orange
- MAC Amplified in Morange - The boldest of the bunch, bright, almost neon amazing
- Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Tutti Fruitti - A sheer orange for the more timid

If none of these options speak to you, check out the links I provided above for additional inspiration.

Orange you gonna listen to me next time?

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Thursday Beauty PSA - Fast Fresh Face

Because on Wednesday I couldn't get out of bed in the morning.

If you read my blog, you should already know the following things about me:
- I love beauty products
- I often choose lazy over everything

Putting on one's "face" seems like the anti-lazy person's ideal, but let me tell you that there really are some simple and easy steps to look instantly pulled together, even on a tight schedule.

You know the scenario: the idea of sleeping for just 30 more minutes sounds way more enjoyable than showing up to work with curled hair and perfected eye makeup. In situations like these, I rely heavily on the following:

- Pssst Dry Shampoo. I have touched on this product in a previous post, and whichever brand you favor, dry shampoo is a lifesaver for me. A few spritzes and I instantly feel better. After almost 30 years of hiding unwashed hair, I no longer fear oversleeping. I now clearly embrace it.

- Conair's Bun Maker. As someone with fine hair and not a ton of it, most of my attempts at buns just seem sad and small so I have NO shame when it comes to using a little filler. There are a lot of products out there (Hot Buns anyone?), but the Conair Bun Maker is easily purchased at any drugstore, Target, Ulta, etc. Not to mention that a Bun Maker bun looks much more "done" and fools coworkers into thinking you tried harder than you did. Trust me on this one.

The Hair Necessities

- Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner in Nude. There's a not-so-secret-beauty-trick that lining your waterline with white eyeliner gives the appearance of being more awake, but I recently learned that the same can be achieved with nude eyeliner, and in a far less dramatic way. Every time I would rim my lids with my NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk, it just felt...scary and unnatural. But when I read about the Rimmel eyeliner, I realized there was a far more natural way to get that doll-eye look. I tend to pair mine with a simple winged cat-eye, but if you are more pressed for time, I recommend Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe for a no-primer-needed, gorgeous wash of color.

- Bright blush: I don't really have a "go-to" blush, but these days I reach most often for Maybelline's Master Glaze Blush Stick in Pink Fever. A few swipes in a pop of pink instantly adds life and energy to your face.

- Highlighting powder. Now, this is a new one for me. I didn't own a highlighting powder until last week but since purchasing one I've been using it every day. I do have a free sample of Benefit's Watt's Up and am definitely a fan, but when I stumbled upon Maybelline's Master Hi-Light Powdered Blush (can you see I have a thing for Maybelline these days?) in Nude (Permanent) and Natural (LE), I was wooed by their shimmer and color (and the reviews online weren't bad either!). Brush a bit of this shimmery goodness over your cheekbones and temples (hell go for the nose and cupids-bow if you are so inclined) to get that "oh-so-rested" glow.

3 Products is all it takes!

- Pink Lips. A matte, creme, or even glossy light pink lip is my first choice for a fresh face. Yesterday morning I chose Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate in 17 because it's a soft, creamy, neutral pink. I tend to prefer something light and easy to keep anyone from catching on to the fact that I haven't showered in over 24 hours...

On Wednesdays we wear pink. Check out the pocket mirror that I bought in '99!

So next time you see me in the office sporting the above products/makeup look/hair, you may want to steer clear. Just kidding guys, I don't smell.

Right?!