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January 2015

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Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Shadow in Navy

I must admit, some of the  drugstore brands of cosmetics have become my absolute favorites! This definitely goes for Milani. The entire palette of the Bella Eyes collection is simply amazing. The colors are super pigmented and absolutely gorgeous. What I love about these little gems is the ability to use them wet or dry. I simply dip the tip of my brush into a small amount of water and then run it across my shadow and the color and saturation become even more pigmented. I LOVE the Bella Navy for doing a twist on a traditional smokey eye. The cool navy tone paired with a classic brownish/grey shadow, creates the perfect smokey eye that just screams elegance. I love to wear my favorite nude lipstick by Dolce & Gabbana with this type of eye, but a darker, richer color would also work beautifully. Think of applying a deep wine lipstick with this ultra standout look. The combination would be drop dead GORGEOUS! Welcome to the weekend…

 

 

Dolce & Gabbana PassionEyes Mascara in Nero

 

I change my mascara often. Probably a little TOO often! I’m normally a drugstore brand user of mascara simply because I feel like there are tons of great, reasonable mascaras at your local drugstore. With my quick turnover, I would be spending a royal fortune each year on mascara! With that being said, it doesn’t mean I don’t LOVE high end mascaras. When I had the opportunity to try the PassionEyes Mascara in Nero by Dolce & Gabbana, ( Thank you Russ!) I was so excited I could barely contain myself! This mascara is simply brilliant. It is a curling and volumizing mascara in one, and it does exactly that. It has a nice big, curved brush that allows for the perfect application. I must admit, I have not met a Dolce & Gabbana product that I don’t adore and of course this mascara left me wanting more. Bold lashes are the perfect ending to a polished look and I can bat away my day and well into my night. With volume this BIG, these lashes will surely get you noticed! Amen-

Hourglass No 28 Primer Serum

 

I always tell people beautiful make-up starts with properly prepped skin. Think of your face as a canvas. If your skin is well hydrated and smooth, your make-up will look it’s best. I have extremely dry skin and I have been using primers for the past ten years. I often switch between primers depending on how my skin is behaving at different times of the year. This Hourglass No 28 Primer Serum, $22 for .33 oz. at Sephora, is extremely hydrating. It is more of a treatment than a primer in my opinion, but it does help fill in those fine lines. It is not your typical dimethicone based primer. If you are looking for a primer that is more of a filler, this is not it. This primer calms, soothes, and hydrates your skin perfectly. It contains a blend of 14 essential oils, 10 lipid-rich plant oils, and four vitamins. You should let this primer sink in for a few minutes before you apply your foundation. I find on the days when my skin is extremely dehydrated or fatigued, this is definitely the primer I reach for. It gives your skin a dewy appearance which only gets better as the day goes on. If you have oily skin, you would probably want to skip this during the day. This primer can also be used as a treatment by itself. I sometimes apply this on my freshly cleansed skin before bed. Hourglass primer is a must have for those cold winter days. Prime away!

MELT Cosmetics Lipstick in Belladonna 2

 

I have been wanting to buy this lipstick for a while now. This name kept coming across my Instagram over and over again. I thought “Do I really need one more lipstick?” The answer will always be YES! I finally decided to order the one color I have been lusting over for months by MELT Cosmetics called Belladonna 2. First off, let me say how impressed I was with the quick delivery and brilliant packaging when my lipstick arrived. Being a business woman myself, it is always the details that make your product stand above the rest. The box alone was impressive and when I opened my package and found a tiny lipstick keychain as well, it really sealed the deal. But the real prize here is the lipstick. I must admit, it took a second to get used to the ULTRA MATTE formula of this lipstick. I do realize it is marketed as a matte lipstick, but I had no idea it would be matte to this degree. So after quickly researching the web, I found other users claimed the same thing and found the best way to apply this beautifully pigmented lipstick would be over a thin layer of lip balm. This did the trick in an instant to provide a flawless coverage. If you are a gloss girl, you might not like this formula so much, but I will say, this lipstick didn’t budge for at least six hours and a couple of margaritas later! If you want LOOK AT ME lips, Belladonna 2 by MELT is the answer-

Essie Ridge Filler & Wet n’ Wild WildShine Nail Color in Black Creme

 

I rarely go and get manicures, which most people find hard to believe. But, I have always enjoyed doing my nails myself. I’m not sure if it’s because I find it hard to commit to a color for more than a week at a time! The key to a great home manicure is the preparation. I picked up this Essie ridge filling base coat the other day at my local Walgreens when I ran out of my usual base coat. All I can say is wow! It provides the perfect base for any polish. On that same trip I also picked up a new version of a Wet n’ Wild nail polish in Black Creme for 99 cents. I immediately came home and painted my nails. It’s now five days later and my nails still look great. I always finish my nails with a layer of Out The Door Top Coat to seal my manicure. It dries your nails quickly and provides a glossy finish. At the end of the day,  I truly love a basic black manicure because it goes from day to night beautifully and it pairs great with every outfit! Who doesn’t love that?