Posts tagged ‘lipstick’
The Crayon Kiss
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable in ‘Rendezvous’ | Clinique Chubby Stick in ‘Two Ton Tomato’
Lipstick is hands down one of the greatest accessories. I know it’s a beauty product, but for something that adds such pow! to a look like a bold shade of red, it deserves to be placed in the accessory bin. However, prominent lip shades like fuchsia or orange aren’t necessarily for everyday wear — kind of like 6-inch stilettos — so finding a color that’s more subtle is as crucial to your beauty/accessory routine as face lotion.
When I was younger I had the brightest red lips on the playground. Kids used to make fun of me by telling me I wore my mom’s lipstick, and while that might have been the case behind closed doors at home, I spent most of my childhood telling the obnoxious kids hoarding the swingsets that my lips were naturally that red. But alas, as I’ve gotten older my lip color has faded and now I just miss the days when I looked like I had an addiction to eating cherry pops. While licking my lips can sometimes replicate this “natural red”, it usually just results in me looking like I have chapped lips. And as much as I love a bright lipstick, those too end up drying out my lips, and then I find myself licking them because they are chapped. It’s a vicious cycle if you didn’t pick that up already.
However, after spending a solid hour in Sephora last week, I think I have finally found the perfect everyday lip color. Clinique’s Chubby Stick comes in a multitude of shades in the form of a thick crayon. With a quick swipe it not only adds a subtle color (my personal favorite is the ‘Two Ton Tomato’ — whoever thought up that name clearly loves Heirloom season), but also gives my smackers as much moisture as Chapstick. I know I sound like a CoverGirl commercial right now, but I’m ok with that. When I find a product I love I want to share it. I want to praise it. I want to buy it in bulk so that I’m never without it. But since Clinique can sometimes be a bit on the pricier side, I’ve also found Revlon’s Just Bitten Kissable to be an affordable and comparable alternative. Now let’s makeout.
I ♥ Duane Reade
The drug store is one of my favorite places on earth. Whether I’m going in to refill a prescription or buying a new batch of toilet paper, I inevitably walk out with a plastic bag full of extra unnecessary goodies. And it’s never a “quick trip”. I can spend hours in Duane Reade, meandering through every aisle from lotions to bandaids, excited at the prospect of filling my medicine, beauty, and cleaning cabinets with more more more!
There’s something thrilling about testing new products, especially when they’re sold at moderate prices. I don’t think I’ve ever purchased the same toothbrush twice in a row (I like to change up the bristles and colors!), and discovering new cleaning products gets me as excited as the house wife I have yet to become.
Since I discuss a lot of my pricier beauty products on here, I thought I’d share with you some of my latest discoveries and staples that can be purchased at your closest Walgreens, Duane Reade, Rite Aid, CVS, and if you’re lucky, grocery store.
From left to right: Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Punch, Cherry Me, & Grape Vine; Revlon lipstick in Sultry Sable, Wink For Pink, & Kiss Me Coral
I buy a significant amount of my lipstick from Duane Reade. My favorite brand is Revlon as I find it lasts the longest, has the largest variety of colors, and offers a number of different finishes from matte to shiny. I’ve also recently become obsessed with Maybelline “Baby Lips”. I have them in every color and find that they’re perfect for when I want something a bit more subtle. They also smell and taste good…
From left to right: L’Oreal Power Volume Mascara, Revlon Color Stay Eyeliner, Covergirl eyeshadow, Revlon eyeshadow
Even though DiorShow Mascara is my #1 go-to, I like to switch up brands every once in awhile. L’Oreal’s Power Volume Collagen mascara coats the lashes evenly while still giving a touch of clump for that extra full look. I’m still mastering the art of the cat eye, but have found the angular brush and dense color in Revlon’s Color Stay eyeliner to yield the best results. Now it’s all about steadying my hands. And while I’m not big on eyeshadow, I love the color variety in these CoverGirl and Revlon palettes.
From left to right: Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, Garnier Moisturizing Gel, Aquaphor
The lotion aisle may be my biggest time waster, which is kind of silly since I really don’t moisturize my body enough. I’ve tried a number of different brands but Cetaphil remains the winner for least greasy application. I go through face lotion by the month and sometimes it’s just not worth spending a fortune on. So I alternate each month using either Dr. Jart’s Water Sure Gel from Sephora or Garnier’s Moisturizing Gel (they’re both ridiculously refreshing). I cannot praise Aquaphor enough. From nurturing my chapped lips to hydrating dry skin on the go, these tubes can be found in every single one of my handbags.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, Almay Makeup Eraser Sticks
Since I wear mascara and eyeliner on a daily basis, finding a good eye makeup remover is crucial for the cleanliness of my white pillow cases. I use Dove Cold Cream for the initial removal and then follow up with Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. I like to keep Almay Makeup Eraser Sticks with me for days when my liner or mascara get a little too smudgy.
Arm & Hammer Essentials Natural Deodorizer, Simple Soothing Facial Toner, Burt’s Bees Sugar Scrub
I used to use Dove’s deodorant religiously. But then my friend introduced me to a natural deodorizer that works as well as an antiperspirant and smells divine. Arm & Hammer’s Natural Deodorizer feels like butter when I put it on and lasts me throughout the day unlike many of the other natural deodorants I’ve tried. After washing my face at night, I like to use a light toner to wipe off any extra dirt or makeup. Simple’s Soothing Facial Toner is alcohol free and leaves my skin looking as refreshed as it could look at the end of the day. And lastly, I’m all for weekly exfoliation. Since I go through these pretty quickly, I try not to spend too much money on them. Burt’s Bees Honey & Shea Sugar Scrub is moderately priced, smells like candy, and does a heavy duty job on scrubbing away any excess skin.
Do you have any drug store favorites? If you do tell me so I can go waste some more time in my favorite store.
Cherry Bomb
I guess I’m on a color binge right now; first pink, then white (no that’s not a color, but relatively speaking), and now bursts of red. I think it’s because I’m trying to add more color in my life, and there’s nothing figuratively speaking about that statement. I literally want to start wearing more color and want to introduce more color into my apartment, but bright, bold looks just aren’t what I immediately go for! That’s where the baby steps come in.
Yesterday I wore a pretty neutral outfit, black and white – go figure, and just as I was ready to give up on an exciting look, I grabbed my bright red leopard print scarf and pop! goes the weasel, I was totally satisfied with my getup. A lot of people shy away from red, but it happens to be the color I flock to the most. From a strong red lip to a powerful pair of red pumps, here are some ways I’d like to continue adding this cherry colored hue to my daily ensembles.
// images via here & here
The Double Bs
Sexy time dresses have their place, and my closet is rarely one of them. I’ll wear form hugging pieces every now and then, but for the most part I stay away from items that hug the Double Bs – the boobs and the butt. But(t) sometimes you have to embrace your inner Marilyn, Brigitte, and Snooki, and flaunt what you got. Such was my mindset when I received this Cut25 body con dress, which I knew upon opening was going to be all up in my Double Bs. Since it was still a little too cool outside for naked arms, I threw on a simple black blazer, which ended up yielding a more conservative look that could perhaps even be appropriate for the after work cocktail? Perchaps? Gin martini straight up, extra olives? Hmmmkaaay.
Also, if you’re like me and prefer to detract from your Double Bs, the blazer is a great way to go. Everyone knows you’re still wearing a tight dress under there but they’re not seeing your Beyonce. Having said that, after a few gin martinis Beyonce may just be ready to come out and do the Single Ladies dance. And that is where I shall end today.
{ Club Monaco Blazer, Cut25 Dress c/o Bib & Tuck, Zara Heels, Kate Spade Purse (similar here), Shashi and Forever21 Bracelets, MAC Lipstick in Morange }
// photos by Emily Malan
Classic Updates
Despite my sometimes eccentric taste, I’m all about accumulating the classics, especially when it comes to clothes. But how many simple white button downs can one own without feeling like a boring men’s wardrobe? — Hamish Bowles and Mick Jagger are obviously excluded from that last statement. Designers like Alexander Wang, Maison Martin Margiela, and J.Mendel are constantly taking classic silhouettes and updating them with a modern flare that can be found in everything from a shirt tail to paper shoes.
A lot of today’s trends put emphasis on wearing the most outlandish pieces or layering as much as possible (guilty!) but sometimes all it takes to achieve an interesting outfit is one statement piece that’s simultaneously subtle and classic. A navy blazer is a perfect replacement to the black JP Morgan suit piece and a bright orange lip can work just as many wonders as the red lip everyone can’t seem to get enough of (see for yourself here).
As I start to prep for the inevitable closet Spring cleanse, here are a few classic yet modern pieces that I hope to add to my wardrobe.
- Topshop Premium Tonic Blazer - $190
- Topshop Ditsy Leigh Jean - $80
- Carven Slingback Bow Pumps - $535
- Malene Birger Alexandrie Ostrich Feather Skirt – $545
- La Mer Collections Stingray Watch - $88
- French Connection Sarah Silk Classic Shirt – $148
- Rebecca Taylor Sweetheart Dress - $365
- MAC Lipstick in Morange - $14.50
- Proenza Schouler PS11 – $1,175
- Bijules Nail Ring – $186
- Clu Wool and Satin Tunic – $350
// first photo via tommy ton
