Kid on Christmas.

Hey Friends! It's an exciting time for me. Last night I made a little Bobbi Brown order online. Needless to say, I am going to be waiting VERY anxiously for that package to arrive!! I decided to splurge a little and get their Hydrating Face Cream- which is AMAZING!! 

Hydrating Face Cream

Here are a couple other things on the list....

Treatment Lip Shine- SPF 15

Brow Pencil

So let me give you a few little hints when wanting to buy some Bobbi Brown...

• If you know what shades you are going for, ordering online is a GREAT way to go. They send out two samples of your choice with your order. So for instance, I will be receiving a free sample of their eye cream with my order this time. As well as some foundation. {Great little perk!}
• Free Shipping for orders over $65.00- I know, that sounds like kind of a lot to spend on make-up. But lemme tell ya, it adds up quick!! 
• Sign-up for their e-mails. This week they had a promotion going where if you spent $100.00, you got this whole little eye kit for FREE!! 

So, let's say you don't want to spend $100.00.... you talk to some friends and get them to go in on the order! Split the free goodies- everyone is happy!! 

bright eyes.

Over at Primped they are talking about white eyeliner making a comeback! The first white eyeliner trend that I remember was in like, 7th grade. Everyone was wearing it like you should wear  black eyeliner. NOT a good look. 

Well, white eyeliner is back and looking classy! Look how gorgeous Nikki Hilton looks while sporting her white liner on her lower lids. It instantly makes your eyes and skin look brighter. Here are some tips Primped is sharing on how to pull-off this fresh trend.

Keep the best ’til last: It’s best to wait until you’re about to apply your mascara before tracing along the bottom lash line with white liner. That way, it stops you from going over board with the product and what ever you do, avoid blending it in the corners as it can look too harsh.

Softly Softly: The thing with white eye liner is that unlike a charcoal pencil, it’s meant to look barely-there. To avoid creating a harsh white line, trace along the lower lash line and follow with a cotton tip to gently smudge the liner for softer definition.

Be a Golden Child: It’s best to keep your white liner for days when you’re wearing neutral shadows, like gold and beige as it’s difficult to keep the liner looking soft and subtle when paired against dark, heavy eye shadows. Wearing white liner also cancels out the need to use a shimmery shadow on the inner corners. Bonus!

Say no to the faux: If you’ve recently fake tanned, put your white pencil away for a few days. Fake tan does a stellar job on it’s own of making your teeth and the whites of your eyes look instantly brighter.

Are you going to give this look a try? 

Mac Brushes vs Painting Brushes

Maybe two years ago, I was told about this video about the comparrison of MAC Brushes vs. Painting Brushes. It's pretty amazing and something I would have never thought of!
Check it out!!

Today, I rejoice.

Introducing....

As some of you may know, I have an obsession with Bobbi Brown. 

So imagine my excitement when I opened up my e-mail and saw the revealing of Bobbi's new spring line,

PEONY & PYTHON COLLECTION.

oh. my. gosh.

HEAVEN.

Just when I feel like I am going to die if I have one more day of winter...

the heavens open and present me with this. 

There IS hope for Spring!! 

You are gonna love this....

Bobbi teamed up with the amazing label TIBI and created this magnificent color palette. 

Lavender & grey.

Soft & Pretty...

Meets edgy and sophisticated.

"This collection is inspired by my favorite flower - peonies. Paired with grey, it's a modern take on spring beauty."             - Bobbi Brown {Peonies are MY favorite flower TOO!! I knew I loved her! }

Rich Lip Color

SPF 12

Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara

This carrying case is amazing. 

And Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks.

For info. on the whole collection, click HERE.

Also,

Check out THIS video of the making of Peony & Python.

Hurry quick if you want this! Peony & Python is a LIMITED EDITION item.

Doll Face.

Did you see Janelle Monae at the Grammy's on Sunday? I love her flawless red-carpet make-up. She looks so fresh and dewey. Here make-up artist, Oslyn Holder, spilled her secret to Glamour this week. Using solely Nyx Cosmetics {which I have personally never heard of until now...} they created a soft-doll face look.


To acheive this look yourself, begin by the usual skin-prep regimine. 
1. Cleanse. Moisturize. Prime, and apply your favorite base evenly across your face. 
2. Use a soft eye shadow and a bold eyeliner to perfect her wide-eyed look. 
3. Next, use a peachy\pink blush and lightly apply to the apples of your cheeks, blending      upward. They used Nyx Cosmetics Grinding Blush in Apricot and English Rose. 
4. Finish your look off with a nude lip! 


Incase you don't know who Janelle Monae is, check out this video of her singing on David Letterman...

 What do you think of her? I first saw her on Ellen and I think she is so cool. Such a nice change from the regular divas we are so used to seeing!

Holiday Make-Up

Here is Kristen Bell showing off a perfect example of great holiday party make-up. I love Kristen Bell. And I love her even more now that I found out she is married to Dax Shepard. He is the bomb. I love him on Parenthood so much!

Anyway, back to Kristen. Here is an easy way to spruce up your usual look for the holiday this year.

• Start off with a great foundation, of course. Lately, I have been trying to branch out of my Bobbi Brown obsession. I have a neighbor who sales Mary Kay and decided to give it a whirl. I really like the results, but it's only day 2. I will let you know how it goes....

• Swipe a nice, frosty cream shadow over your eyelids. I really like Moonlight Sparkle Eyeshadow by Bobbi Brown. Next, you will want a super thick mascara like Buxom Lash. {in blackest black}

• Next, pick your favorite peachy\coral lip color. Rimmel London Lasting Finish Intense Wear Lipstick in Coral in Gold, $9.95.... is a great option.

• Finish your look with a luminous peachy gold blush. Try-Prestige Sun Baked Mineral Blush in Peach.

Happy Holidays!

Dewy How-To

Kate Bosworth is someone who is always looking nice and fresh. I found a little "how-to" on how to get her 60's\70's inspired look on Primped.

I absolutely love the "dewy look" at all times during these cold winter months. I think it truly gives the radiant glow we so desperately need. {Especially in Utah where our winters are so dry!} This is a great look for any festive gathering. You could even add a dramatic liner to the eye to give it a more bold effect.

The Makeup

Step 1: Apply a primer to a cleansed and moisturized face to prep your base. {I will admit, I don't use a primer. However, I love to use Cetaphil as my moisturizer.}

Step 2: Smooth on a tinted moisturizer or illuminating foundation for a dewy finish. Start from the center of your face and blend outward. This will help blend into jaw and hairline.

Step 3: Cover your whole lid with a light brown eye shadow. Curl your lashes and swipe on your favorite black mascara.

Step 4: Get her peachy pout by lining your lips with nude liner and applying an apricot lipstick. {You could try MAC Lipstick in Cut a Caper. $35.00}

Step 5: Lightly tap on a creme blush like Nars Cream Blush in Enchanted, onto your apples and blend up to your temples for a radiant glow!!

Friday Favorite

About two years ago... I ventured over to my trusty "Bobbi Counter" at Nordstrom. I sat down to really dig in and talk to my make-up "consultant" about what I could be using to improve my overall skin tone. She looked at me and said, "well, you have dark circles under your eyes."
"Excuse me? What?? No I do NOT!! I am too young for that," I thought. Well, she proceeded to tell me to "watch and learn." She said she was just going to treat one eye, and then I could compare the two and really see what she was talking about.
Sure enough, she applied a correcting cream, then the Creamy Concealer onto my right eye. I looked in the mirror and was shocked! I couldn't believe the difference it made in my overall appearance and helping my eyes to look brighter. I was SOLD!!
So, I now present you with one of my very favorite, 'can't live without' products.
Award winning

Creamy Concealer

And...

Top Rated

Corrector

The idea behind these creams, is the by using a yellow or peach toned cream, {depending on your skin tone} it counteracts any dark circles under your eyes. It goes back to the basics of the color wheel. If you have purple-ish circles under your eyes, a yellow tinted cream will cancel out the color. The concealer is also loaded with vitamins and minerals the help nourish the delicate skin under your eye- all throughout the day.

I love this product so much. It does seem a little pricey, but the tiny container lasts a very long time. Once you try it, you can't live without it. That's my one warning...

Directions: Use fingers or the Concealer Brush to apply up to the lashline and into the inner corner of the eye. Smooth and blend by gently patting with the pads of your fingers. Follow with a layer of your regular Creamy Concealer shade.

Friday Favorite

I LOVE wearing color on my lips.

I HATE when lipstick is constantly getting on my teeth, drinks, and who knows what else!!

I feel like I am always on the hunt for the best solution to my lipstick troubles.

Needless to say, I was excited when I saw a commercial for Cover Girls new Outlast Lipstain. I jumped at the chance to grab some the next time I was at my local grocery store.

It looks and feels like you are coloring your lips with a marker. The intensity varies depending on how many coats you layer. There are 10 different shades. I have tried two of them- Teasing Blush and Plum Pout. I really love both of them. It is long-lasting, easy to apply and only $8!!

My few cons are:

The color doesn't last ALL day, but it lasts for quite a while. It does fade faster when you are drinking or eating.

It is a very MATTE finish- which some people like. But I found it helpful to layer a light gloss over my lips, adding some moisture and shine.

Also, be careful when choosing your shade. I found that the actual shade of lipstain wasn't very true to the tube color. They can be a bit intense.

Overall Review- I am sure there are some better lipstains out there- but for being a drug store product that is only $8.00, I feel like it's worth the 8 Bucks. I love having color on my lips without having to worry about it getting on my teeth.

Has anyone else tried this or any other lipstains?

I would love your opinion...

Friday Favorite

I am always on the hunt for the BEST mascara. The perfect mixture of smooth, dark, thick and kind to the wallet. One problem of mine is that I have a hard time justifying spending TOO much money on it. Mascara has a pretty short shelf-life, once opened. So I guess I am always on the hunt for an afordable, perfect mascara.

Well, my friends, I may have found my perfect match. A month or so ago, while shopping at Victorias Secret, I stumbled upon their Pro Voluptuous FX Mascara. It was only $12.00 so I decided to give it a try.

Needless to say, I have loved it. Every last ounce of it. I love how dark and thick it is- while not being flaky or too spider-leg-ish. It def. has my stamp of approval. My one word of caution is make sure you get the VOLUPTUOUS one. The brush makes all the difference in mascara application. This brush will give you the thickest looking lashes.

So, I want to know... what is your favorite mascara??

I may be temporarily satisfied... but I can't say that I am sold on this one forever...

To Matte or not to Matte?

Matte lipsticks have been all the rage this year!

They've made a huge comeback. It's very 60's-retro glam.

Here is Drew Barrymore sporting a cheerful pink-matte lipstick.

I love the natural look of this hue on her.

And then we have the lovely Katherine Heigl... Wowza! She has a huge smile!

Katy Perry wearing a super-retro shade of pink.

Totally Barbie-style, if ya ask me.

Or, you can strut EXTREMELY glamorous matte lips like Heidi Klum is doing here.

My thoughts on Matte Lips...

• Matte lipsticks usually stay put. You don't have to worry so much about bleeding, smearing or the always embarrassing "lipstick on the teeth" incidents.
• They can be less-dramatic. By using a soft-toned matte lipstick, it really can compliment your natural beauty and skin-tones. It's not as dramatic as a shiny lipstick or gloss.
• Do they look as kissable as a soft, shiny lip? I wonder if the guys in our lives are more inclined to kissing a glossy or a matte lip.... hmmm....

So friends, let me know what you think!

Have you tried wearing Matte Lipsticks?

If so, did you like it?