Spring Trending: LIPS

Well it's starting to actually reflect Spring time here in Ohio, for now, but I'll take whatever I can get!  Keeping up with my spring makeup trends, I'm talking all about lips in this post.  I'm a nut for bright lips and of course I was excited to see that they are spring worthy.  It's not just any old bright colors that are in full effect but neon, electric, in your face colors I have been seeing a lot of.  So like any good makeup junkie I set out to hunt down for some lipsticks to rock myself.  Here are my top two finds...

The first I picked up is a L'Oreal Color Caresse Wet Shine Stain in Coral Tattoo.  It's is an orange/coral color and it's a little more subtle of the two BUT it wasn't necessarily the color that got me about this one.  The formula is much different from anything I've ever used and it's kind of genius!     It's a wet stain, so the more you layer it, the brighter the color pay off is. I was most surprised at the lasting power of this thing and definitely a perfect find!

The next is a Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Fuchsia Forever.  I just have to say that when I first saw this color I was scared.   I thought it was a gorgeous color but did not think it was something I was going to be able to pull off.  If I've learned anything from my many makeup trial and errors it's that the only way of knowing if you are going to like something is to try it on, soooo....I got it!  I stepped out of my comfort zone and it was worth it, I am in love.

Until next post..."Happy girls are the prettiest." -Audrey Hepburn

Spring Trending - Brows

Like the beginning of all seasons I have been looking and searching through makeup trends that are expected to be on many faces for the next few months.  Makeup trends are usually hit or miss with me, in the past I have found a lot of them just don't translate in "real" life very well and some are just way over the top.  With that being said this year I am definitely going to be eating my words!  For the next few weeks I have decided to post the Spring makeup trends I personally love and will be experimenting with.

First up is eyebrows....truth, I am a freak about eyebrows.  It's probably the first thing I look at on other women and I am obsessed with my own.  Yes it's a bit weird but eyebrows can make a huge difference in your facial features as well as the makeup you are wearing.  A big spring trend this season is something that can only be given credit to Miss Audrey Hepburn herself and that's thick-full on brows.  Don't worry if you weren't born with Princess Jasmine-esque brows, these are reasonably easy to pull off with the right products.

These are the products I use.

Maybelline Clear Mascara, NYX brow powder, and Anatasia Brow Wiz

First I line the outer edges of my brows with a wax brow pencil, going a little thicker than my natural brows. This just helps as a guide to where you'll need to fill in.  Use light small strokes as if you were mimicking the look of actual eyebrow hairs.  Next I use powder and an angled eyeliner brush and fill in any sparse areas inside of the area that is outlined.  An eye shadow that is similar in color to your brows will work just as well for this step too.  The last step is to run clear mascara (YES mascara) or a color eye brow gel over the hairs, making sure to brush upwards.  This gives brows texture so they look less drawn on and more like your own brows.

So they are a little high maintenance BUT they are fun if your looking to change up your look for the day!

Face of the Day #1

This is how I put on my face.

I was getting ready for an interview and decided to turn on the camera and record it.  These are my favorite type of videos to watch on YouTube....I am obsessed!  Watch it to see a neutral but put together look or just to make fun of my putting on makeup faces!

Red lips in the daytime

Hi everyone!  Since I've recently cut my hair short I've realized that I can get away with  playing up my makeup a little more in the daytime.  I've really been experimenting with bright lips but I have to say red lips in particular have been my go to color.  I am definitely guilty of feeling like maybe wearing a red lip in the middle of the afternoon might seem a little too much!  BUT I've discovered it can be pulled off and it can look amazing on EVERYONE!  Here are some tips and tricks that I think are worth knowing.

1.  Skin should look like your skin.  By this I mean very little foundation needs to be used.  I usually go for a tinted moisturizer or a very light layer of foundation.

2.  Minimal eye makeup looks more relaxed and casual.   A light cream color or skin toned eye shadow, maybe with a little shimmer, all over the lid and some black mascara does the trick.

3.  ALWAYS line your lips!  This goes for any bright color lipstick and red lips are no exception.  Apply a lip liner all over your lips will help the lipsticks staying power as well.

4.  Layer, Layer, Layer, and more Layering.  This is so key if you want your red lips to last for a long time.  Apply a thin coat of your red lip of choice and use a lip brush to spread and cover all over your lips.  Once you've done that blot your lips with a tissue.  Repeat application and blotting a few times until you get the color intensity you want.

5.  Confidence is key.  If you walk out of the house and feel awkward, you will no doubt look awkward!  I think you'd be surprised at the positive reactions you will get from your bold red lips.  So just channel your inner Gwen Stefani and have fun with it!

Warning:  Pictures you are about to see contain my no makeup face, haha.

BEFORE

AFTER

Thank goodness for makeup!  Happy Monday!

Spicy Tofu Surprise

Happy February everyone!  To start February off I thought I'd post a recipe since it's been awhile.  So one day it was dinner time and I was hungry...(haha) there wasn't much in the fridge or pantry so I had to get creative.  I chopped, mixed, sprinkled, and sauteed to my inner chef's desire and came up with something I will call Spicy Tofu Surprise!  I took my first bite, gave myself a pat on the back and shoveled the rest in my mouth promptly!  To make sure I wasn't imagining the goodness of my dish, I made it again another night for my husband and he confirmed that it was worthy of a blog post.  SO here it is!

What you'll need (makes about 2 to 3 servings):

-1/2 a medium onion, chopped
-1/2 cup brown rice, cooked as instructed on box
-1 1/2 cups frozen carrots, thawed out
-3 slices of tofu (extra firm), about half inch each, then cubbed
-1 tbsp olive oil
-1 oregano (I used dried but I suggest using fresh if you have it on hand)
-1/2 tsp parsley (again fresh would be better)
-1/2 tsp cumin
-2 pinches of garlic powder
-2 pinches of cayenne pepper (more or less if you like)
- salt
-pepper
-3/4 cup spaghetti sauce
-Red or White wine

(Sauteed mushrooms would also be good added into this as well)

Step 1:  Pour yourself a glass of wine and take a sip, cooking is much more fun this way!

Step 2: Pour olive oil in pan and turn stove to medium-high heat.

Step 3:  Add your onions and saute for about 2 minutes

Step 4:  Add tofu and saute for another 2 minutes

Step 5:  Add carrots, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, cayenne, and cumin.  Stir and saute for another 2 minutes.

Step 6:  Add cooked rice and spaghetti sauce and stir to mix everything together.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Step 7:  Lower heat, cover, and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes.

This is what your end product will look like, a little like mush, but GOOD mush!  Enjoy!

Lip Product Love

Hi Everyone!  So my only two New Years Resolution this year was to be less stressed and be a better blogger and I'm already failing miserably at both!  To be quite honest I just haven't been very inspired by much as of late.  I've gone on a no makeup buy until I use up some of my old products.  My cooking has been very unadventurous.  Hubby and I haven't gotten much QT (quality time) together recently and another semester of school has arrived! UGH!  I also blame my slump on the cold-ish weather, it really does make me unmotivated.  BUT enough with the whining...I was going through some of my stuff trying to get some ideas of a post and came across some oldie but goodie lip products.  Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains.

(L-R) 001 Honey, 025 Sweetheart, 040 Rendezvous, 030 Smitten

I picked one of these up probably six months or so ago and immediately went back to get more.  I'm a big fan of a bright lip but sometimes I feel like full on lipstick during the day can be a little too much which is why these are so perfect.  There marketed as a balm which I agree with as they are very moisturizing and a much lighter consistency than lipstick.  Another good thing about these is that they stain your lips so the color lasts  much longer without having to retouch every hour. 

There are 12 shades total,  ranging from light to dark colors.  As you can see they are fairly sheer but with a good color payoff.  I definitely recommend these if your curious about wearing a bright lip but are hesitant to make the leap.  As soon as my no makeup buy is other I will be purchasing more of these myself!

The A-Team

Makeup junkies get excited because this one is all about what I think is the MOST important part of any makeup routine, foundation!  I am always on the lookout for the perfect base and I have tried A LOT!  Of course I wish I was born with pore less skin with no discoloration and had no idea what a post pimple mark looked like but that's just not fair...or so that's what I tell myself.  Longevity is my number one requirement when it comes to foundation.  I'm not a touch up girl, if I put it on it better stay on.  I also don't want to feel like I'm wearing a mask, foundation mask look is scary ladies!  Through my quest I have found some stand out foundations that have stuck with me.

Here they are!

(Left to Right) Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation ($13.99),  Clinique Even Better Foundation SPF 15 ($27),  Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid Makeup ($35),  NARS Sheer Glow Foundation ($42), Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua ($45)

Revlon Colorstay Whipped is the foundation I use most on a daily basis.  The texture of this really freaked me out when I first got it because it's fairly thick but I learned that a little goes a long way.  I would say that this is medium coverage and the lasting power is amazing.  The other interesting thing about this foundation is when you first put it on it's not that impressive but I notice that after about an hour of wear it started to really melt into my skin and make my skin look smooth and pore less.  I would say the finish of this is a semi-matte but still looks very natural.  The few cons I have for this is the chunky glass bottle it comes in, it's just not practical.   The other is the color selection, I find that Revlon foundations just don't cater to yellow undertones all that well.

Clinique Even Better Foundation is the newest addition to my collection.  I picked this up after seeing it on someone else who's skin looked so gorgeous and glowing, I had to have it of course!  I love the finish of this foundation the most.  It's just slightly dewy without making me look oily.  I find a little of this goes a long way as well and it does really well at cover any spots or redness.  If your skin is a little on the drier side and looking dull I think this foundation would work best for you.  The only con I have on this one is that it's too dark for me to where right now!

Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid  is my go to foundation for the summer.  This foundation is so light weight and when it's hot outside it's perfect.  Nothing worse than feeling like a pound of makeup is sliding off your face in the summer heat!  Even though it's light weight the coverage still manages to be pretty decent.  This foundation blends really well into the skin, giving a your skin but better finish.  I would say this works best for someone with pretty good skin already that's just looking to even their skintone.  Con for this one is coverage, I wish it had just a tiny bit more.

NARS Sheer Glow is always the foundation I reach for on a night out or special occasion.  NARS brand of makeup is hands down my favorite and this foundation is no exception to that.  It's glowing, with the right amount of coverage, and manages to blur out imperfections.  When I want a really perfected base this never lets me down.  I rarely have to spot conceal on blemishes if I wear this, which is a big plus for me too.  They also have a Sheer Matte version of this if you are on the oily side or just like a matte finish.  The con I have with this is that sometimes I feel like it can be too heavy for the daytime.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua....hello CHANEL!  Almost every beauty blogger and makeup guru as raved about this foundation and rightfully so.  I actually don't wear this foundation too often but I am in love.  This is very similar to the Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid because they are both extremely light weight on the skin.  I don't even know how to describe the finish it gives...  It just gives your skin this really flawless but natural look.  I was blown away by the effect it gave.  Unfortunately the cons I have for this foundation are what keeps me from wearing it more often.  The first is the smell...all Chanel foundations have this floral like scent, it's not unpleasant but I personally just hate when foundations have a fragrance, I don't get it. Because my skin does not respond well to fragranced products I breakout if I use this too often.  BIG BUMMER!