DIY Compact Revival

I had multiple bronzer compacts that either had cracked pressed powder, or were simply worn out in the center.  This was ultimately making for a useless compact.  I decided to do a Google search to see if I could do anything for them.  I found this post by Lauren Conrad's Beauty Department called DIY Makeup Fixer Upper.  This post explains step-by-step how to make them almost brand new.

I'm using a Victoria's Secret and a Wet n Wild face bronzer.

The Beauty Deparment's post calls for: 70% alcohol, plastic wrap, eyeliner brush, spatula, and a dropper.

I decided to improvise when it came to gathering materials.  I ended up using: lemon-flavored vodka, a q-tip, and a spoon.

I skipped the plastic wrap and just went to town mashing up my compact powder with a q-tip.  (I removed the cotton from each end before-hand.)  Careful, depending on how hard the powder is pressed it can jump around while you're trying to break it up.  

Then I used the back of a spoon in a rocking motion to mash-up the make-up into a finer powder.

Carefully, I added small spoonfuls of the vodka to the compact, stirring with the q-tip in-between spoonfuls.  I stopped adding the vodka when it became chunky and mousse-like.

Again, I used the back of the spoon to spread the mousse around to fill the bed of the compact.   

There you have it!  Mine probably took a few hours to dry (and mine smells lemony-fresh!  ;) )

My First Essie Purchase: Butler Please

Essie's "Butler Please" is described on Essie.com as

...an indulgent bright blue  ...  indulge in a bright blue nail color hue that simply adores being waited on hand and foot. spa pedicure? yes, darling, yes.

 Butler Please was part of Essie's Winter 2012 Leading Lady collection.

Essie "Butler Please" $8 at drugstores

Luminous Lips-- Olivia

I am a big fan of a bold lip (even though I rarely have enough time in the morning before work to make my lips look how I'd like them to.) I like to keep up with trends, and below I have picked out at least one shade from the major color categories (red, plum, pink, nude and the one off tangerine) that is one of my favorites. I love having a plethora of lippies at hand, because most days all I need is a quick swipe of mascara and a colorful lip to get out of the door, with a look that's spot on.

This cotton candy pink shade is one that I use sparingly .. I don't think I've worn it since last Spring. It is a great shade for Spring, though, and I love how it contrasts with my dark hair. It's lip butter formula is so smooth and creamy, it feels so great on my lips! It has no scent, which some people will love. It's sheer, but can be layered.

From MACs "Hey, Sailor!" collection that came out in May '12, this lip glass in "Blessedly Rich" is one of my all time favorites. It's much more bronze in real life. It has such an amazing sparkle to it. I find that when it comes to MAC lip glasses, you either love them or hate them. They are very thick in consistency, and have a heavy vanilla scent (which I love.) This is such a great Summer shade, perfect with a tan, curls and the beach.

This L' Oreal balm in "Nourishing Nude" is my go to nude shade.  I love how glossy and slick these balms look!  Both Christina and my younger sister are repeat customers of the balms (my sister is on her 8th or so) and if you pick one up you'll know why! This nude shade is perfect, it matches my skin tone so well. Great for any time of the year, day or night.

This NARS lipstick in "Fast Ride" is easily my most favorite. I always say I feel like a vampire when I wear it, its so deliciously dark! I bought this at a Sephora, it was my answer for a dark plum lip. The formula is great, it's nice and smooth and lasts for quite some time. Be careful, though, when it does wear off the last place it leaves is the edges of your lips, and you may get caught with a lip liner/bare lip look (not cute at all!) For this reason, this lippy travels with me everywhere I go, so I am always able to touch it up! Perfect for Fall/Winter.

This shade is similar to the one above, but it is more cranberry, or red.  I am a huge fan of the mint scent of these stains, and I love the texture and consistency that the balm factor brings. The coverage on this balm is extreme, very opaque. Another shade perfect for the Fall and Winter.

I fell in love with this Fresh Sugar lip treatment as soon as I tried it. It's very sheer, but gives the lips a lovely plum stain none the less.  I love the fact that it's a treatment as well, it feels like it's healing my chapped lips as I wear it. What a lovely lemony scent as well! 

I have a lot of red lip colors in my collection, and this MAC lip glass is one of my favorites. It's just the perfect bold red lip, simple and classic. 

Being a graphic designer I went bonkers when I found out that Sephora was collaborating with Pantone (the color authority) on a new line of makeup. When tangerine was the color of the year in 2012, I picked up the set of makeup in the daring shade. I fell in love. It's such a lovely color for Summer, so fresh and vibrant. I find that when wearing this shade it's best to let the lip do all the talking, keep it very simple when it comes to eye makeup.

So there you have it! These are my go to shades, day or night, rain or shine. Maybe you'll like one too? Cheers!

-Olivia

Luminous Lips-- Christina

Christina here!  This is a review of all of my favorite lipstick brands and shades that I have experimented with over the past year or so.  I've gotten into lipsticks recently because I'm finding that they are less maintenance and upkeep when wearing them.  They're not slick and sticky like glosses, but are more controllable.  You can control the darkness/lightness of the color based upon your application.

Most of these colors I usually wear at night because they are pretty vibrant, so I feel more comfortable wearing them that time of day.  I also like to layer them with a sheer balm or gloss to give it some extra shine.

This is a medium pink color with some sparkle.  It has a slight lemony scent.  This brand stays pretty moist and creamy without that chalky/dry feeling.

This balm has a minty scent.  Its very easy to apply and is long-wearing.  Even after the balm has been removed, my lips are slightly stained.  

I really like this line of L'Oreal balms-- this is my second one.  They are very wearable, sheer and glossy.  I layered this with the nude gloss stick because I still wanted the nude color, but I find the gloss sticks to be a little dry, so I added some moisture.

This gloss stick is also layered with the L'Oreal balm for the same reasons.  I love the bright pink color!

I love this color for the summer!  I bought it when I had red hair and found that it really popped at night.  I have some photographs of myself wearing this color, and I always get compliments on how pretty my lips look.  Its more purple in person and has a light vanilla scent.

This Maybelline lipstick is also a repeat purchase.  In the tube it looks very sparkly and frosty, but once on your lips it becomes pretty nude and pretty.  I layered it with the L'Oreal balm afterwards to add some glossy moisture.

Most of these products you can find at your local drugstore (Maybelline, L'Oreal, Rimmel).  The Pur Lip Gloss Sticks were purchased at Peebles department store around Christmas time, so you may still be able to find them in stores.

Balm Stains

For my first post, I thought I would review something that has recently caught my eye. Now, I'm sure everyone is familiar with Clinique's Chubby Sticks, maybe even Tarte's LipSurgence balm stains. They have caught on quite quickly, due to their ease of use awesome color payoff, and moisture! Traditional stains, in a felt tip pen form have been popular for quite some time. Us girls who favor stains know how dry they are.

I have tried the Clinique version and was not that in love with it, it was moisturizing but I actually like some scent to my balms (especially with names like mega melon)and Clinique is scent free. I have never actually tried the Tarte one. I was not a fan of the prices of these stains either, the Clinique one retailing at $16; the Tarte $15. I thought all was lost, and I sort of gave up on balm stains.


And then...dun dun duuun!

 Enter Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain (quite a mouthful, yes.) The company recently came out with their own line of balm stains, and OMG, are they amazing. And at only $8.99 they are a serious steal. Last week, I picked up one in Crush, a beautiful deep plum shade.

It looks different on my lips, which is a good thing in my mind. The shade on my lips is a deep, vampy red, with a plum tone to it. The balm has a wonderful minty scent and taste, and is cooling on the lips. I am sure this might be something that is not attractive to some people, but I love it. There are so many great shades to choose from, I am sure that anyone can find one that they love. The lighter shades are sheerer, while the darker ones go on quite opaque. The stain lasts a decent amount of time if you don't eat anything, less time if you do. If you come across one you like, pick it up. You won't be missing out.

Caring For Your Make-up Brushes

Makeup brushes are probably the most important tools in your makeup bag—but most of us don’t take proper care of them. But what good is your new killer eyeshadow or favourite bronzer if you don’t have the right tools to apply them? Here are some tips on how to properly care for your brushes:

Storage
Admit it – you leave your brushes rattling around inside an old zippered makeup bag. Or you leave them standing up in a jar on your bathroom counter. Neither of those are good options. The bristles can get damaged or transfer makeup residue in those bags, and the heat and moisture from your shower will decrease the lifespan of your brushes. Instead, look for a roll-up bag that has different compartments for each brush, or, if you want to store them in a jar, keep them away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. A jar with a lid is also a good idea, as it will prevent dust from gathering in the bristles.

Cleaning 
Dirty brushes are not only built up with residue from your makeup, but also with oils and dead skin cells – all of which can create a breeding ground for bacteria and leave you with an ugly breakout on your face. Follow these steps to keep your brushes clean and bacteria-free.
1. Wash your brushes every two to three weeks. Brushes used to apply cream or liquid makeup should be washed daily. If someone else has used your brushes, wash them before you use them again.
2. To wash your brushes, spray or pour makeup cleanser onto a clean towel. Gently wipe each brush back and forth across the towel until there is no more makeup coming off the bristles. Alternately, you can soak them in a sink filled with warm, soapy water (use your regular face cleanser or a mild shampoo). Rub the bristles under water to remove any build-up.
3. To dry, lay the brushes flat, with the brush head hanging over an edge. Not letting the brush drip-dry over an edge may cause moisture to build up where the brush head meets the handle and may shorten the lifespan of your brushes.
4. Let your brushes dry thoroughly (four to eight hours, depending on how thick the brush is) before using them again. Once dry, reshape the bristles as necessary.

Via http://www.29secrets.com/

Obsessed: Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm

I was recently in Sephora, and I tested Clinique's Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm.  I tested the balm in Super Strawberry.  To my surprise and delight it was very hydrating and refreshing!  I definitely wanted to purchase it, except the color I wanted was not in stock; Woppin Watermelon.  Nonetheless, I decided to look for it online.  


What it is:
A super-nourishing tinted lip balm.


What it does:
This gorgeous lip color treats lips to mouthwatering moisture and a hint of soft shine.  It never needs sharpening-- simply swivel up to reveal more of the balm.


What else you need to know:
Allergy tested, 100% Fragrance free.
Size: 0.1 oz


~ From Sephora.com


Comes in 8 delicious colors!  Cons: I wish it was scented!

Sephora | Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm $15