The Reds I Love

     My very first lipstick was a red, think Gwen Stefani and in junior high. I remember saving money because I wanted it so badly; I sincerely doubt my mother would have bought me the lipstick if I asked. I didn’t wear anything but a foundation that was too light (Cover Girl) and a red lipstick. Live and learn.

    As the years went on I put away the red and wore colors that were more suitable for office life and didn’t draw any attention to me. Only now I’ve resorted back to red but finding the right red can be hard. I’ve read blogs and heard people say ‘any red can match anyone’, I don’t find that to be true. Some reds I find are too orange, some don’t seem to be a true red and others are just a flat out… no! My favorite is Almay’s Red for medium skin because you can keep it light or darken it up. NARS Cruella and Bite’s Pomegrante is one that you can get away with just use a light hand with them.

    I always gravitated towards neutral colors again boring office life but I do love a good red. One of my favorite reds is Essie’s Head Mistress, which is a true red. Butter London’s Saucy Jack is a deep burgundy that is suitable for the winter and also very pretty.

What’s you favorite red?

‘No Appointment Necessary’- January Sephora Play

    This months box is a bit allover the place but I’m not complaining. First up Living Proof’s Prime Style Extender Spray. This according to the booklet it’s a like a ‘protective shield’ but for the hair. Dr. Brandt Skincare Needless No More is supposed to ‘help with wrinkles and blur out expression lines’.

Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight is ‘natural, soft shimmer’ for the cheeks.

    If you haven’t tried the Eye Mask by the Sephora Collection you should. I place one in the refrigerator 10 minutes before I use one and it gives a nice cooling sensation. Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Peel Original Formula is one I’ve wanted to try. It’s a facial peel treatment that contains retinol. Last but not least a sample of Tocca Beauty Isabel and a card for 50 points with purchase. Pretty good.

-Melissa

Mini Make Up Haul

    This past weekend I celebrated my birthday in San Marcos. While I was there I picked up a few things I’ve needed and one I wanted to try. I am heading on vacation in March and I feel the travel size soaps are too small and the regular size soap is too large. I picked up a small L’Occitane soap. This soap works well with my skin, which can be very sensitive.

    I’ve needed lip primer for months. My favorite is M.A.C’s Prep + Prime, I find when using this primer it does its job like no other. My lipstick not only last for hours but it helps prevent my lips from getting any more chapped. MUFE’s Step 1 Mattifying Primer is one I didn’t like when I first tried it. When it came in a Sephora Play box I wasn’t to thrilled about it but I used it anyway. Needless to say I bought one this past weekend. I’ve wanted to try the VERB’s Leave in Mist. I love trying new conditioners and I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes.

-Melissa

M.A.C Prep + Prime Lip

      When it comes to lip primers there is only one I go back to repeatedly. I've been using this primer for so long I forgot how I even caught wind of its existence. My lips are consistently chapped year round, so when I say this makes a difference... it makes a difference! I love this primer because it helps make my lip smooth even when my lips are chapped. I also find it keeps my lipstick on longer then any other lip primer i've tried. Sometimes I use this alone just because I know it prevents my lips to chap. I love this stuff!

-Melissa

Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Magic Wand for Lip & Eye Makeup Remover

     Sometimes you need a little makeup remover for that pesky eyeliner that somehow ended up on the inner corner of your eye. I usually purchase the Bare Minerals version because it’s cheap and it works (I think $5.99). However, I can’t seem to find it anywhere! I’ve tried the Almay version and it’s okay but not as good as Bare Minerals. You’re probably thinking I only bought this because of the packaging. Honestly, that wasn’t the reason although it is cute.

     What’s makes it different from the other two brands of removers is that with the others you pop the end on one side of the Q-tip to let the liquid lose. This one you twist the top to let the liquid lose. The makeup remover is strong enough where you’re not wasting more than one Q-tip on both eyes. I have sensitive skin and I find it non irritating. There is not over powering smell nor is it greasy. It’s small enough to carry in your bag or carry-on and sure it’s cute… but it works.

-Melissa

Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50

    I found this product scouting Sephora’s website to add a few more dollars to my cart. I can’t remember what product I received but I know it was one of those ‘if you spend  $25 you get’ a specific item. This product claims to be a three-in-one it’s suppose to help set your makeup, control oil and give you SPF.

     My skin is super sensitive and this product doesn’t irritate it. I don’t find that it helps with shine but considering the SPF in this product makes me like it. There is a scent to this product and it reminds me of Origins products. To me it smells like green tea. Over all it’s an okay product but considering there is an SPF of 50, I enjoy it.

-Melissa