EXFOLIATION. It's not a new word, but do you ever associate it with your lips? Maybe it's time that you should. Having soft, kissable lips is not hard at all, you just need to exfoliate them regularly(but not so often that you rub them raw). Exfoliated lips provide a nice, smooth base for your lipstick, gloss, stain, or whatever you choose to use.
There are products out there that make it easy to do, and one that I have used and liked is fRxtion by Tarte. It's a natural sugar exfoliator and lip balm duo. It's a little pricey at $15, but it does a nice job.
If you want to go a cheaper route, you can make your exfoliator at home! I came up with a recipe that only uses two ingredients: sugar and vegetable oil. All you do is mix a little over 1/4 teaspoon of sugar with 1/4 teaspoon of vegetable oil to get the consistency you see in the picture. Next, scoop up some of the mixture on your finger and start working it into your lips in a circular motion for about 30 seconds. Make sure to coat your top and bottom lip. after you're done, take a damp washcloth and gently rub away.
After your lips are dry, apply your choice of lip balm. In between the times you
exfoliate(every few weeks), I really like using Blistex Lip Massage lip balm. Its' soft-touch tip smooths away rough spots and the balm stays on for longer than a lot of other ones I've tried.
So, if you want lips like sugar...you might have to use a little sugar. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Gone are the days of shiny nail polish being the only option! A new trend that's been popping up in the world of nail polish are different types of finishes. One that I decided to try, and I think I'm liking it, is the matte suede finish. Revlon has a new one out in a gorgeous Fall color called Ruby Ribbon.
It goes on like normal polish, but when it dries it, the shine is gone. I don't think everyone will like this look, but it's something fun to try. Revlon makes three other colors in this line, but I liked Ruby Ribbon the best.
What do you think about this look? Take the survey on the right and let me know!
*Want to know where I bought this? I purchased mine at Ulta.
Want a quick and easy way to tame your brows? Just sweep a coat of clear mascara over each of them to keep them in place. Usually any brand will due, but currently I'm using Bonne Bell Eye Style Precise Mascara in Natural Clear.
This is one of my sweet coworkers, who always seems to pull together outfits that look effortless and cute. I spotted her in this the other day and thought she had pulled together an outfit using a lot of the looks for Fall. She's paired a cardigan with a jewel-toned shirt underneath, and finished it off with a chic black skirt and ballet flats. These are great basics for any wardrobe. You could also add a fun necklace or earrings to complete the look!
By the end of the day, a lot of makeup tends to fade or run, leaving us to wonder if we even put any on that morning. There are many ways to get your makeup to last longer throughout the day, but we're going to concentrate on the eyes for now. I have two words for you....EYE. PRIMER. Some people might think this is just one more step to add to your daily beauty routine, but I promise you that it's worth the extra few seconds it takes to apply it.
What is Eye Primer and what does it do?
In short, eye primer is like foundation for your eyelids. It creates a smooth canvas and helps eyeshadow to stay on longer. It also discourages the annoying creases you can get when your eyeshadow has had enough! It can come in different forms, some being more lotion-y, while others have more of a concealer basis. I have tried both kinds, but I think I prefer the more concealer-like version. Two eye primers I have tried are Mary Kay Eye Primer (more lotion-y) and Clinique Touch Base For Eyes (more like a concealer).
When Do I Apply It?
You will want to apply eye primer to your clean eyelids before you put on any of your eye makeup on. I cover my entire eyelid from brow bone to lash line.
I'm going retro and loving the glamorous, sex kitten look of Brigitte Bardot. From the runway to magazines, her iconic hair styles seem to be popping up everywhere. I guess imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...
According to the October issue of Lucky magazine, cooler colors on the eyes, paired with warm cheeks are all the rage this season. It's a pretty look that's pretty easy to execute. Here's how I do it:
1. I cover the entire eye lid and brow bone with Maybelline Expert Wear Eye Shadow Singles in Silver Lining.
2. Next, I take Laura Mercier's Metallic Creme Eye Colour in Alloy and swipe in on my eye lid to the crease.
3. To finish off the look, I dust the area I just coated in Alloy with bareMinerals Eyecolor in Nude Beach. It gives just the right amount of shimmer, which I love. If you don't want as much shine, just skip this step.
Using the right tools when applying makeup not only makes the job easier, it also results in fewer mistakes and saves time (the fewer the mistakes, the sooner you can head out the door!). And choosing the right makeup brushes in particular will help prevent those harsh lines you get when your makeup isn't blended properly. However, there’s a big gap between deciding to buy some makeup brushes and coming home with the right ones. Before you head out to your local beauty-supply shop, read our briefing on brush buying to cut down on the confusion.
First thing’s first: There's the question of natural versus synthetic bristles. "I enjoy working with both natural and synthetic brushes," says Vincent Longo, celebrity makeup artist and creative director of Vincent Longo Cosmetics. "However, if I had to choose one over the other, it would be natural — they simply do a better job at blending multiple layers of color on larger areas of the face, such as the cheeks and brow bone."
On the flipside, since natural brushes are often made from goat, pony, sable, or badger hairs, sensitive-skin types might be better off going faux rather than risk an allergic reaction.Whichever bristle type you choose, there are specific brushes for the face, eyes, and lips that are makeup-bag essentials. Here's your cheat sheet:
Foundation Brush This makeup brush, which may also be referred to as a contour brush, has a wide, typically pointed head that glides along the curves of the face. The size and shape of the bristles allow cream or liquid foundations to easily blend into the skin to smooth away imperfections. You can also use a foundation brush to apply bronzer.
Concealer Brush Use this flat, oval-shaped brush (smaller than a foundation brush) to apply cover-up. It allows you to blend just the right amount of makeup over dark spots and blemishes and can even be used to conceal tattoos.
Blush/Powder Brush This brush has a large, rounded head that's ideal for applying powder on the face, neck, and shoulders. Brushes with extra-large bristles are best for all-over coverage. To apply loose powder, use a brush with a soft finish. A slanted powder brush will help you achieve perfectly sculpted cheeks (the angled shape applies color heavier on one side than the other for definition).
Eye-Shadow Brush There are several styles of eye-shadow brushes, but a medium-sized angled or pointed one is a sure bet because it adds a precise amount of color to the brow area, along the eyelids, and into the creases. If you're into the smoky-eye look, consider a smudge brush — it has shorter, domed bristles that are better to blend with.
Eyebrow Brush/Lash Comb The eyebrow brush is a stiff, usually angled makeup tool that can be used to fill in or contour the brows. Simply dip it into brow powder and use upward strokes on sparse areas to create the illusion of thickness. The lash comb (which may have metal or plastic teeth; be aware that metal offers more precision) helps groom the brows and separates lashes to remove mascara clumps. You can also find dual-sided eyebrow brushes and lash combs, but the brushes on these versions usually resemble slim toothbrushes and are better for shaping unruly brows than filling them in.
Eyeliner Brush This typically finely pointed brush can be used wet or dry to apply eyeliner like a pro. For a smoky eye, a flat liner brush is best — line your eyes with its straight edge, then use a pushing motion on the line you've created for the smudged look.
Lip Brush This type of brush has a small tapered point that lets you apply color or gloss in a few quick swipes (the exactness of this makeup tool keeps you from coloring "outside the lines"). Retractable lip brushes are especially handy for keeping the brush free from dirt and dust particles. This brush also works to apply eyeliner (remember to wash the bristles with warm, soapy water before switching from lips to eyes and vice versa to prevent contamination).
Fan Brush A fan brush is great for cleanup. It gently dusts away any excess eye shadow that may have fallen beneath your eyes. Or it can be used to apply a light amount of color onto your cheeks.
Many makeup brush sets contain all these brushes in one, attractive, travel-friendly case — so be sure to shop around to find one that meets all your makeup needs!
There are products out there that make it easy to do, and one that I have used and liked is fRxtion by Tarte. It's a natural sugar exfoliator and lip balm duo. It's a little pricey at $15, but it does a nice job. 
If you want to go a cheaper route, you can make your exfoliator at home! I came up with a recipe that only uses two ingredients: sugar and vegetable oil. All you do is mix a little over 1/4 teaspoon of sugar with 1/4 teaspoon of vegetable oil to get the consistency you see in the picture. Next, scoop up some of the mixture on your finger and start working it into your lips in a circular motion for about 30 seconds. Make sure to coat your top and bottom lip. after you're done, take a damp washcloth and gently rub away.
After your lips are dry, apply your choice of lip balm. In between the times you 
