The Wonder Pencil

listen up ladies, i've said it before and i'll say it again, this Wonder Pencil by NYX is life changing. though i may sound a bit dramatic i'm one hundred percent serious. as in, you will never view makeup the same again.

what is so awesome about a flesh-toned pencil? beyond the fact that these things are crazy hard to come by (ironic considering they are a makeup artists best weapon, then again that may explain the secrecy) they cover a multitude of problems.

first, the simple act of concealment. they cover with precision. have a tiny dot, a mole, a small pimple, a bit of a sun spot, the smallest of hickies curling iron burns or a slight imperfection? this smart concealer pencil named Wonder Pencil will take care of it.

second, tired eyes? anyone over the age of sixteen can answer yes to that question. whether it is studying for finals, staying out too late, chasing after small kids or worrying about your older ones this pencil is a gem. simply run it along the rim of your waterline and the redness is gone in an instant and eyes appear brighter and more awake. avoid lining your eyes with your white eyeliner because that will enhance the redness of your eyeball and only create a harshness to your makeup rather than a refreshed lightness.

third, outlining. the makeup artists trick to making lips look fuller, brows looking groomed and eyes larger. outlining your lips with a nude pencil will enhance the shape of your lips to make them look fuller and poutier. i would opt for this step any day over too-dark lip liner to create a fullness to your lips. this natural looking step makes ALL the difference. same goes for your eyebrows. outlining your eyebrows with a nude pencil makes them look fuller, better groomed and brightens the eyes. good brows make for a good face - this nude pencil will take you there.

if i haven't convinced you yet have i also mentioned that it is $4.50 and is now sold in Target? NYX has never been easier to find and purchase so be sure to pick one up on your next visit.

xo,
kristie

NYX Precious Pearls

one of the hottest trends in nails for fall are textured nails. whether it is fuzzy coats, sparkly textures, liquid sand or pearl manis, any texture is welcome. NYX Precious Pearls brings you the gorgeous mani finish of the widely popular 'caviar texture manicure' at a much, much more affordable price.

the NYX Precious Pearls come in a variety of colors, my personal favorite being the silver pearls. you can also find black (great for winter) and a color mix of white, black and silver. applying them is ridiculously easy; simply paint your nail, pour pearls over the nail, gently press into place and let dry for 15 minutes. gorgeous textured mani complete.

the genius part of this kit is that it comes with the base coat, pearls and a small funnel for replacing excess pearls. everything you need for your textured manicure. NYX for the win.

ps. NYX can be found at Ulta Beauty and most recently at Targets nationwide!

xo,
kristie

Trending August

Trending August by blushingbasics featuring Michael Kors

this month's trending post features some of my current faves and obsessions. i like to think that as people our styles and tastes evolve. whether that evolution comes about because of age, income, or lifestyle changes, it is bound to happen. perhaps my recent evolution is due to all three! regardless, let me share what i am loving right now:

• J.Crew - their chambray shirts beckon to me like peanut butter to jelly, a duo that should never be separated. i just can't quit the denim trend and thankfully it is still hot. J.Crew pencil skirts are a classic that will never be trending but just perpetually in. i tried to add a little spice to my life by going for a bright yellow hue. Spice Girls had it right when they said 'Spice up your life!'.
• hearts.com - sure i may be the beauty blogger for hearts.com but their message and products appeal to me beyond the boundaries of our blogging agreement. with products that help support human rights, education and environmental sustainability i can't help but be on board. these repurposed bullet casing earrings always get noticed and i love the pop of turquoise. (a little unabashed self promotion - check out my latest post for them here)
• Tangle Teezer - this is one of those products where you use it and wonder 'Where has this been all of my life?!'. seriously it is that amazing. it brushes your hair without pulling or damaging the hair and removes tangles with ease. i use it on my daughters who without fail cry 'ouch!' every time a brush comes near their head. however, the Tangle Teezer manages their mess without so much as a whimper. when i say you must try this product, i mean it. in fact, this product deserves its own post. #staytuned
• Laura Mercier Dark Spell Collection - the new Dark Spell Collection for fall is not only a show stopper but its Face Illuminator deserves to be put on a pedestal. it is one of those products that is almost too gorgeous to touch but you have to because it is even more gorgeous once applied. can't get enough shimmer. can't stop won't stop.
• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream - the color applies so smooth and is one of the best long lasting lipglosses i have EVER used. what is so amazing about this is that this product isn't touted as a long wear lipgloss, and yet this gloss lasts hours longer than any long wear gloss i have tried. worth every penny of its $3.50 price tag.

xo,

kristie

NYX GLAM Aqua Luxe

summertime is THE time to experiment with color. when it comes to bright and bold pretty much anything goes. want to wear blue shadow with hot pink lips?

go for it.

my favorite rule in makeup was told to me by a MAC artist who said "If it makes you feel beautiful, you're doing it right." sure, there are rules that say pick one bold element, don't mix trends, too much of anything is a bad thing.

yes, those rules are true but what it really boils down to is whether or not you feel comfortable in what you are wearing.

for instance, i recently picked up some sneaker wedges. you know the ones. when they first arrived in the marketplace i thought they were hideous, but the more i see them the more they win me over. similar to the skinny jeans effect. when the trend reappeared i may have thrown up in my mouth, but look at me now embracing that trend like my life depended on it. the moral of the story being, your initial reaction to something may be visceral and real, but at the end of the day you need to follow your gut and if your gut says buy sneaker wedges, then buy those sneaker wedges.

if your gut says go bright, then gurl by all means, GO BRIGHT!

the great thing about makeup is that there are so many makeup lines and options that offer a variety of colors for penny pinching prices. one of my favorite lines for great makeup at a low cost are NYX Cosmetics. i love their products and their prices will not break the bank. if you are looking to try some bright lipsticks for summer then consider NYX. $6 will get you a great lipstick and a new look.

xo,
kristie

Correct & Conceal Under Eye Circles

under eye circles are the bane of my existence. i have been victim to them since i was young - any less than 8 hours of sleep at night and they would show their surly selves. i have finally developed a routine that helps to conceal and correct my under eye circles while still looking natural.

first, i use my must-have, conceal everything, superstar galactic concealer. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage is a crime fighting ninja of a concealer and works wonders. using a flat synthetic brush i apply concealer beginning at the inner corner of my eye and brushing outwards.

second, to prevent concealer from creasing or migrating i use an invisible finishing powder. with a fluffy eyeshadow brush i apply a small amount under my eye. there are several invisible finishing powders i use and some of my favorites include MAC, Make Up For Ever and Laura Mercier.

last, my 'secret' to really brightening up red, tired eyes is to use a nude colored eye pencil on the inner rim (waterline) of my eye. this color of eye pencil can be really difficult to find and NYX Cosmetics makes an amazing array of nude pencils that are affordable and work perfectly.

unpack the bags under your eyes and enjoy a refreshed look courtesy of yours truly.

xo,
kristie

Spring 2013 Trend: The Vintage Lip

i love spring makeup trends. something about the promise of sunny days ahead warms my soul. after attending Spring/Summer 2013 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week i have been chomping at the bit to start putting some of those fashions into effect.

last week i received my Nordstrom spring catalog and this pastel vintage lip was rampant among the catalog models. i loved it. spring trends typically focus around pastels and spring 2013 makeup trends are no exception.

the above before and after pictures are showing the exact same lipgloss, however the second photo has the white base coat.

to recreate this popular spring 2013 makeup trend, follow the steps below:

• using my NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil, i applied a white base coat.
• following that i topped it with my rose pink lipgloss.

xo,

kristie

Golden Globes Favorites

the Golden Globes brought us stars, fashion, makeup, heartfelt speeches and some major wins along with some major fails. for today's post i wanted to share some of my favorite Golden Globe makeup looks and who brought us these fabulous looks.

above is Marion Cotillard at the Golden Globes. looking stunningly gorgeous Marion Cotillard's makeup was designed by Tarte Cosmetic makeup artist Christophe Danchaud. because her Marion Cotillard's dress was so bold and gorgeous her makeup look was toned down to something fresh and natural. she nailed it.

Zooey Deschanel, one of my favorite actresses (formerly married to the one and only man on my 'list', Ben Gibbard - Death Cab For Cutie i will heart you always and forever) always keeps it light and fun. she made waves with her 'Film Strip' nails/mani but really rocked it with her red dress - an apparent color of choice for the evening - and 60's inspired makeup look, also created by Tarte Cosmetics.

while i didn't love Ms. Lucy Liu's dress - perhaps better suited as a couch cover? - i did love her makeup. NYX cosmetics created a pristine and classic makeup look because the Golden Globes is not the time to experiment. NYX cosmetic kept Lucy Liu's look flawless and perfect making her shine on the red carpet of the Golden Globes.

St. Tropez kept some of my favorite leading ladies looking amazing. Amy Poehler couldn't be any funnier and Connie Britton, need i say more? (shout out to #FridayNightLights - i'm a fan) Golden Globes are the time to rock a faux glow and St. Tropez hooked up Amy Poehler and Connie Britton with the perfect tint.

although i must say, not loving the cleavage. please, next time stay classy Ms. Poehler and opt for a cami.

last but not least was one of my favorite looks of the night, courtesy of Laura Mercier makeup. Claire Danes looked knock your socks off stunning on the red carpet of last night's Golden Globes. sticking with what seemed to be the theme of the evening - RED - her smokey eye and subtle lip were the perfect accent to her Golden Globe attire.

Angela Chase + Jordan Catalano 4ever

those were just a few of my favorite looks of the night. i'd love to hear your thoughts/reactions.

xo,

kristie