Perfect Pairs: Eyes + Lips

May 28, 2015 in Makeup

I don’t know about you, but after a while I tend to fall into a rut with my makeup looks. Although I change up the products I use almost on a daily basis, over time I start reaching for the same combinations of products over and over. Once I find a lip product that perfectly complements the eye look I’ve got going on, I tend not to stray from it.

Lately for my everyday look, you’ll know from my Makeup Lately post, I’ve been reaching for the Origins GinZing Brightening Cream Eyeshadow in the shade Sugar Peach. It’s a really subtle yet brightening shade that really makes me look more awake. I love pairing gold eyes with a pink lip, and I’ve found the perfect match in the YSL Volupte Tint-In-Oil in I Rose You. Since the eyeshadow is subtle, I really like pairing it with this subtle rose shade. It makes for a really lovely, minimal look for every day.

Another look I’ve been going for during the week is a little more purple. I recently got The Body Shop Shimmer Cubes in Bunch of Violets (23), and I’ve really been liking it. The purple shades are definitely not as neutral as what I usually go for, but it’s still not too crazy for my tastes. I love pairing this with a more purple-toned lipstick, of course, and the one I’ve been reaching for every time is the Clinique Lip Pop + Primer in Plum Pop. It’s more of a pink shade with just a hint of that plum color, so it keeps the look from getting too matchy-matchy. I haven’t spoken about this lipstick much yet (stay tuned for my May Favorites next week), but I think it’s really a new favorite formula.

As I’ve been clearing out my makeup stash recently, I stumbled upon the NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Earth Angel. I don’t know why I keep forgetting about this lovely little duo because it’s just stunning. I love how the beautiful earthy tones look with my brown eyes. Recently I’ve found that it looks amazing (and very 90s) paired with the MAC Lipstick in Velvet Teddy. The brown-toned nude doesn’t detract from the eye look, but really complements it instead. This is probably one pair more suited for fall, but I’ve been loving the combination nonetheless.

Lastly as my bold lip look, I’ve been loving pairing the Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Always Red with the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Black. Wearing a red lip just feels so classic that I have to add the flick of black liner. And because I can never go without having eyeshadow on, I’ve been loving throwing a little cool-toned brown from the Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Palette in the crease as well to complete the look. I’m a huge fan of this look because it makes me feel like I’m an extra in an MGM musical, which I’m always down for.

Do you have any favorite pairs of lip and eye products?

The Mauve-y Lip Crayons

May 26, 2015 in Makeup

"Oh look, another 'my lips but better'/neutral lip products post," I'm sure you're all saying. While I’ve gone on and on about my love for the brown-toned pinky nudes, there’s also a special place in my heart for the more mauve-y ones. Being a cool-toned gal, the subtle purples just pop and really look nice with my skintone. I’ve recently gotten my hands on two chubby lip crayons that fit the bill perfectly, one drugstore and one more high-end.

On the higher-end of things, I’ve got the Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint in the shade Envy. Sephora describes this as a “mauve berry,” which is super accurate. But it’s not your usual deep autumnal berry at all - rather, it’s roughly the same shade as my lips, making it the perfect product for a “my lips but berry-er” look. I really love the formula of this as well - it’s matte but not drying at all, and it has a really lovely minty scent. It actually is really similar to the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms, down to the scent and everything. The shade Envy is kind of similar to the shade Sultry in the Revlon line, but Sultry has more of that typical 90s brown tone. This is the perfect product for when you want a little something something, but nothing over the top.

Speaking of Revlon, the mauve lip crayon I have from them is their ColorBurst Balm Stain

in the shade Honey. This one is a similar mauve/berry shade, but isn’t as dark - this makes it a true my-lips-but-better color. This one is not matte and has a little bit of shine to it. I love reaching for this one on my more minimal makeup days, and I keep it in my bag throughout the work day because it’s easy to reapply without a mirror and it feels really nourishing on the lips.

Have you tried either of these? Do you have a favorite mauve-y lip product?

Hair Care: I Need Your Help!

May 23, 2015 in Hair

If you remember from my post “The Chop,” you’ll know I got my hair cut the shortest it’s ever been back in February. I absolutely loved it and swore I’d never have long hair again. Lately though, probably due to my obsession with Pinterest, I’ve been longing for my longer locks again - we always want what we don't have, right?

I've been wanting to up my hair game lately, because mostly I usually just can’t be bothered with it - I’ll wash it with whatever’s in my shower, throw in some leave-in conditioner, and let it air dry to its crazy wavy mess. I just can’t put the effort into my hair in the mornings the same way I do with my skincare and makeup. In order to try to coax myself into taking better care of my hair though, I’ve bought a few new goodies to try.

After hearing raves about the L’Oreal EverRiche range (although apparently in the US it’s called EverCreme) on I Covet Thee and Hello October, I thought I’d give the shampoo and conditioner a try. I haven’t yet tried them due to trying to finish samples from a Birchbox, but I’m excited to! I also picked up the Sephora point perk that was a set of mini Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil range - the shampoo, conditioner, primer, and oil. I’ve used all but the oil and I’m in love. Lastly on the new haircare front is the Sachajuan Hair Repair. I never do hair masks or treatments so I thought this would be good to keep my hair healthy and growing. I've tried it a couple times and it makes my hair feel so soft and nourished without weighing it down at all.

So now I need your help: in the comments below, please leave your favorite hair products or tips for growing longer hair and keeping it looking effortless and tousled!