Chip Free Nail Polish

i don't usually recommend a product this highly but if you don't own it, you should!  Seche Vite top coat polish is THE BEST top coat i have ever used.  i think i may have recommended this product in a previous post but after having owned it for 3 months, i am completely obsessed.  i can paint my nails, have them dry within 5 minutes (not the usual 10-20 it takes for other products to become smudge free) and not have a chip for days. 

from the website:

Seche Vite™ Dry Fast Top Coat is widely acknowledged as the world's finest top coat. Its patented formula penetrates through the nail lacquer to the base coat forming a single solid coating over the nail plate for a much more durable finish, guaranteed not to yellow and leaves nails silky, stronger and resistant to chipping and peeling.

Named Best Beauty Buy by InStyle

 

xo

kristie

Favorite MAC Lipsticks

L-R: Politely Pink, Snob, Creme Cup, Innocence, Beware!

when it comes to lip color i am super picky. pink, nude and blue undertones are all musts for my lipstick essentials. lip colors have a tendency to look orange on me and the blue undertone helps keep it cool. pinks are my most flattering shade and work best with my fair skin tone. sheer colors are best for easy, casual wear and matte lip colors give a stronger impact. these are just my own personal issues with color but let's be honest, we all have them. finding the perfect shade(s) can be tricky.

MAC Cosmetic lip colors are my go-to when it comes to lip color. they apply smooth, last long and the color selection is on point. my favorite thing about MAC Cosmetic lip colors is that with the MAC recycling program, you can turn in any 6 empty product containers and get a lip color for free. this has certainly helped build my collection over the years.

while the colors above may look eerily similar, they apply much differently than you would think. here are the details on the best (for me!) MAC lipsticks:

the first, Politely Pink is a great pink color and applies sheer with a bit of lustre. it almost has a sheen similar to lip gloss except it isn't tacky and your hair doesn't stick to it when it is windy. great for everyday wear and applies easily on the go since the color payoff is subtle.

the second MAC lipstick, Snob, is my favorite MAC lip color of all time. i wear it most frequently and looks great with my clothing color palette - mainly greys. it looks pink but applies with a very subtle lavender undertone which makes it the perfect 'Barbie' pink for me.

the third,  Créme Cup, is my second favorite MAC lipstick. a little more subtle than Snob, this perfectly toned nude pairs well with a smoky eye or a casual look. it is a cremesheen color which makes it apply smooth like butter with the slightest hint of shine. 

the last shade, Innocence, Beware!, is a great nude with less pink undertones than Créme Cup. it is a warmer nude which makes it a great option for those of you with warmer skin undertones. i use it when i am wearing warm color tones and it looks great with gold accessories.

all that thought put into four shades that are extremely close in color? yes, it is worth it. these are just my four favorite MAC lip colors. tomorrow i will be sharing my spring lipstick update.

xo,
kristie

*a big thank you to my daughter and her friends for being my gorgeous 'lip models'. they are the cutest.

Double Color Bronzing Technique

bronzing is such an essential part of a summer face. well, any face really. for those of us who are past our twenties and looking to add color to our sleep deprived, care deprived and all around deprived skin, this is your solution. better than any amount of diet coke. promise.

so it is with great pleasure that i am going to share with you my favorite bronzing tip:

use two colors.

yes, it is as simple as that. let's imagine you are painting a picture of the sky. do you use only one color blue to create the depth and beauty of that vast escape? no, you use as many colors of blue as you can. so when you apply your bronzer, why would you only use one shade? adding a cream blush under your bronzer will help give it depth and a touch of sun kissed glow without the fake-ness of highlighters and shimmers. it is essential that you use a cream blush for this technique. it is going to apply a stronger color as well as really 'grab' your bronzer once you apply it. remember, cream and powder are a marriage made in heaven.

below are the amazing cream blush and powder i have been using this summer courtesy of Make Up For Ever. you should know by know that i am a MUFE junkie and refuse any other foundation but their cream blush and bronzing powder a true winners as well. the essential ingredients to a good bronzer is lack of shimmer and a slightly grey undertone. done and done. the cream blushes come in a variety of shades to match your needs and they have amazing pigmentation and last for. ev. er.

so ladies (and some gentleman) shared below is one of my favorite makeup-ing tricks:

 hope that helps you in your bronzing journey!

xo,
kristie

How To Select The Perfect Makeup Colors

selecting the perfect makeup colors is not an easy task. first, it takes a basic understanding of colors and how they compliment or contradict one another. second, it takes practice. knowing what hues and tones work best for you is always a little tricky. third, throw all the rules out the window. if there is a particular color you love but may not be suited for you, who cares? as long as it makes you feel beautiful, you are doing it right.

first, let's talk color. remember about 5 years ago when it seemed everyone was on this card making kick? Stampin' Up was all the rage and they made card making so easy by selecting color palettes for you to choose from. goodbye mismatch hello pretty. 

we could jump back even further to 10 years ago when everyone was making scrapbooks but that was even harder because color palettes weren't preselected and you were just blindly selecting paper stock at Michael's hoping it would match your stickers.

scrapbooking has evolved with the digital age thanks to digital cameras and digital design sights helping you select what color palettes coordinate best and providing you with template layouts making graphic/scrapbook design easier than ever.

but how about makeup, is there a template for that? not really. 

typically palettes are sold in coordinating colors but the question before you select that palette is 'Does this work for me?'

some basic rules of color:

monochromatic always works. monochromatic is when you use one color in different hues for a harmonious, unifying effect. a good example would be the room deco below:

photo credit pinterest

how does that apply in makeup? in fashion, monochromatic is always super glam. the same goes for makeup. sticking with a monochromatic look ie: bronzed, golden, pastels, etc. just works.

neutral colors fall in the realm of black, white, grey and brown. neutrals work for everyone. when in doubt stick with neutrals because you can't go wrong. particularly for the eyes. everyone looks good with browns, greys, blacks and whites for eyeshadow.

analogous colors are colors on the color wheel that fall next to each other. they naturally create a sense of harmony and work well when blended together.

complementary colors are two colors opposite each other on the color wheel. the colors work well when paired together and draw attention to one another. this also works well in makeup but often in a toned down version.

the color wheel is also a good way to determine which colors work best for your eye color. if you are blue eyed, browns work well in drawing out the blue hue of your eyes and vice versa for brown eyes. greens always shine with purple toned shadows and hazels work well with purples or blues.

my favorite rule of thumb when it comes to color selection is take a minute and look through your wardrobe. you are often drawn to colors that work well with your skin tone/eye color whether your realize it or not. whatever colors are dominant in your wardrobe are often good colors to choose for makeup.

xo,
kristie

Fight Allergy Symptoms With ZYRTEC®

this is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ZYRTEC®

when allergy meets beauty my husband (Tman) and my world's collide. he's an Allergist (i.e. physician who writes you those glorious allergy scrips) and i am a Makeup Artist (addict, lover, over-user, etc.). he does his best to keep your eyes dry, your nose less itchy and your face de-puffed. i do my best to use my tools - makeup! - to help hide those symptoms. combine our superpowers and we have you covered this allergy season.

yes, the dreaded allergy season is here. grasses are growing, flowers are blooming and pollen is working its genius on the world, including us. because pollen is so effective we refer the term ALLERGY FACE®, you know that havoc allergies wreak on our faces - watery eyes, puffiness and red nose? yeah, that is ALLERGY FACE® and it is a fate you don't want to meet. however it is often unavoidable and in that case i have put together a post sharing some of my favorite allergy season beauty tips.

MAKEUP TIPS TO AVOID ALLERGY FACE®

• invest in some ZYRTEC® !  ZYRTEC® is an allergy medicine that is used to treat allergy symptoms. it works and it works well. enough said.
• change up your makeup game. makeup artist Jamie Greenberg recommends going for a smoky eye to hide the puffiness that sometimes results from allergies. black is concealing in not just clothing but makeup included.
• apply concealer to your T-Zone, across the forehead and down to the nose. this makes skin less dull and removes redness from that area.
• stay away from fiber-sculpting mascara. i know it is the hot makeup item right now but you would be best benching that sucker until your allergies are calm.
• a green concealer works well to combat redness. gently dab a small amount over the red areas of the face followed by a skin-toned concealer on top. dust lightly with powder to set.
• if the area around your nose is super rosy apply a red or pink blush to the apples of your cheeks and dab a small amount of concealer over the redness of your nose.

check out the video below featuring makeup artist Jamie Greenberg and her allergy season tips:



these tips will help keep you fresh faced and fabulous during allergy season. i'd love to hear how you stay fresh faced during allergy season - sound off in the comments!

xo,
kristie

this is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ZYRTEC®

How To Wax Your Legs

waxing your eyebrows vs. your legs are like comparing apples to oranges.

you might be thinking "uggghhh" but anytime is the perfect time to begin your waxing routine. waxing your legs requires you to grow out your leg hair to approximately 1/4 inch so that the wax will have something to grip to. let's be honest, summer isn't ideal for growing out leg hair but you will appreciate it once it is waxed!

beginning this routine helps slow the growth of your leg hair, and over time the maintenance becomes easier and easier. doing this yourself is simple, easy, and relatively inexpensive. trust me, i have owned my own waxer for 8 years and it is so EASY to do this yourself!

here's how:

• gather your supplies. for this you will need muslin fabric or waxing paper strips cut to desired size, a popsicle stick applicator, and wax. i have a professional wax warmer, but this is not a necessity for at home waxing. i do prefer using GiGi wax. it is the wax used by professionals and it works great.

• once your wax is warmed and your legs are clean (don't forget that hair needs to be at least 1/4 inch) you can apply wax. using a 45 degree angle, apply a thin layer of wax in the direction of hair growth. the area of wax should be equal to 2/3 of your muslin wax strip.

• lay muslin strip over wax and press firmly, again in same the direction of hair growth.

• hold skin taught and pull wax strip off with one quick motion in the opposite direction of hair growth.

• immediately apply pressure to the waxed area with the palm of your hand to sooth the skin. NEVER reapply wax to newly waxed areas. finish with GiGi's After Wax Cooling Gel, Aloe Vera, or Baby Oil.

enjoy your smooth, newly waxed legs - a summertime essential.

xo,
kristie

What To Pack For Vacation

spring break. that glorious week that comes around every spring with the promise of sunshine, fun, swimsuits and play. whether you are going one hour to a hotel or 10 hours to the beach, spring break travel needs are serious needs.

why is it that we will invest copious amounts of money on beauty products, only to pack our carry-on with the least amount of liquids possible thanks to TSA regulations. even without the regulations, our tendency is skimp when it comes to products. we're thinking simpler is better.

well, simpler is simpler, not better.

traveling for hours in a car or plane will leave your skin dry and irritated. compound that with the new activities that traveling brings: swimming, hiking, soaking up some sun. basically, during the time that your body needs the most TLC the tendency is to neglect it.

my first piece of advice - pack your toiletries. don't just rely on the one ounce body wash/shampoo/facewash that is provided, think ahead and bring REAL products. some of my favorite brands have travel friendly sizes of everything you could need.

hair needs: drybar offers a great travel pack equipped with the hair essentials. shampoo, conditioner, hairspray and mousse are all included and bottled in TSA friendly sizes. quality products just waiting to be packed.

skin care: pick yourself up a sample size of your favorite face wash. RéVive cleanser is gentle and effective for sensitive 'travel' skin. keep your eyes open for Sephora Bonus Point offers, you can usually get a generous sample size of your favorite product.

shaving: smooth legs are sexy legs but packing your razor can be messy and cumbersome. Venus Snap is a new release from Venus and it is perfectly sized for travel and comes with a travel case to make it a breeze to pack.

deodorant: Secret Clinical Strength is my favorite and it is also perfectly sized for packing in a makeup back. 'nuff said.

my last piece of advice is to save your samples! i keep a bin in my cupboard that is filled with samples. rather than throwing away those foil squares, hang onto them and throw them in your bag. i can typically find the perfect size sample for my travel needs, whether it is 2 days or 2 weeks.

for tips on what to pack in your makeup travel kit, click here. it is a great post filled with my favorite makeup travel items, as well as some great tips in the comments section.

xo,
kristie

The Truth About Eyelash Extensions

eyelash extensions are one of the most popular trends in the world of beauty. having been worn by celebrities and stay at home moms it is a trend that transcends.

what are eyelash extensions? eyelash extensions are single strands of synthetic eyelashes that are curved to replicate a natural lash. each individual synthetic strand is attached to an eyelash with a permanent glue. (note: this is a specially designed glue for eyelash extensions - do NOT try this at home) the synthetic lash then remains in place until your natural lash falls out. before you freak out about losing lashes please realize that the average person loses about 1-3 lashes per day and it is a natural loss pattern that occurs.

i recently visited my salon for a spray tan and was informed of the new lash extension special - a full set of lashes for $50. having dipped a toe in the pool of eyelash extensions a few years ago i was a little hesitant. i tried lash extensions and loved the fact that i always had long dark lashes whether i had applied makeup or not. my lashes looked good in all different circumstances: swimming, working out, waking up, shopping, running around the playground, going on long walks down the beach, drinking (virgin) piña coladas…but i digress.

so why was i hesitant? because previously i had the lashes applied by my sister (who was in training at the time) and it wasn't the prettiest of applications, my eyelids ended up getting glued together and as the lashes wore off i looked majorly cray. i'm talking lashes pointing in every direction: up, down, left and right.

did i want to go through that again? no, but just like spray tans i was sure this beauty treatment had evolved into a more finely tuned craft.

thankfully, i was right.

my experience at the salon was a walk in the park. i arrived and was promptly placed on a warmed massage table and laid my head back while the technician quickly and proficiently applied my lashes. i may have taken a nice 30 minute nap and within 45 minutes from arriving, my lash set was complete. they were even, they were straight, they looked gorgeous and my eyelids weren't glued together.

the downside is that maintenance is a bit more cumbersome. you do have to take extra care washing your face and particularly washing your eyes. you must avoid oil based face wash and eye makeup products. a mascara wand is a lifesaver in cleaning out eyeshadow debris from lashes as well as straightening any strays. the picture above is after one week of wear and i am two weeks in and still looking good. i do have a tendency to pick at them, which is a major no-no, but i am a picker and it is inevitable. i will admit to having tiny moments of panic because i cannot remove them, kind of like wearing acrylic nails and wishing you could remove them so that you can pop a zit. once you make it over that hurdle, you are smooth sailing.

eyelash extensions have improved over the last few years, have become much more affordable, are applied quickly and look more natural. the truth about eyelash extensions is that they are kind of awesome.

xo,
kristie

MAC 217 Blending Brush - Top Ten

my love for the MAC 217 makeup brush has no bounds. i have a constant supply of beauty products to give as gifts but one of the most precious gifts i give is this brush. every woman should own the MAC 217. if this brush hasn't made it to your makeup bag, consider adding it to your wish list.

Top Ten Reasons Why You Need This Brush:

1. Brush Density. not too thick, not too sparse this brush has the perfect amount of density. it is thick enough to pick up a decent amount of product but thin enough to adequately blend as well.
2. Bristle Stiffness. this is really a thing. if your bristles are too floppy, you can't apply your color directly where you want it. if they are too stiff, you have no blending capabilities. these bristles are perfectly firm.
3. Brush Shape. the oval shape of the MAC 217 allows for easy blending. the product disperses easily and blends well.
4. Top 10 MAC product. when you head to the maccosmetics.com website it lists a tab of the top ten best selling MAC products. the MAC 217 brush made that top ten. pretty impressive from a brand that does so many products well.
5. Quality. the wood handle and nickel plate of the brush along with the quality of the bristles let's you hang onto the MAC 217 for, ev, er. use it, wash it, repeat. this brush will withstand use without compromising brush integrity.
6. Do-it-all Application. this brush is a magician. apply color only to the tip of brush for precision lining. apply color softly to the brush for highlight. apply a heavier color to the lid for all over color application or for grease definition. 
7. Doesn't Shed. yes, this can be an actual issue with brushes. the last thing you want when applying your makeup are brush bristles falling. getting a brush bristle off your eyelid without messing up your makeup can be harder than herding cats. you don't want to try it.
8. Works With All Consistencies. use it for cream shadows, makeup paints, loose powders, pressed powders, pigments, concealers or lipsticks. the MAC 217 is versatile.
9. Money Saver. while the initial investment might be higher than your average brush the MAC 217 can turn the cheapest of eyeshadows into well blended beauties. some investments pay off over time, and this is one of them.
10. The only brush i use consistently every day. i can't give it a higher recommendation than that.

xo,

kristie

Department Store Faves & Their Drugstore Counterparts

in the beauty world we have what we call 'Holy Grail' products. this is the name given to those products that are absolutely amazing and will never steer you wrong. listed above are some of the favorite (read: top-selling) products in their niche and their drugstore counterparts.

Giorgio Armani Eyeshadow vs. CoverGirl Eyeshadow

Giorgio Armani shadows are best known for their weightless, silky smooth application. for $30 a pot they better be amazing and perhaps buy you dinner. i love a good eyeshadow and the occasional splurge is well-worth the investment because shadows last forever, however i don't know if i can justify to the hubs (aka Tman) why our bank account was depleted because mommy needed some new colors. 

you feel me right?

thankfully CoverGirl has your back by offering individual shadows at $3.99* a pot. their eyeshadows may not be weightless and i wouldn't exactly describe it as silky smooth, however the color payoff is great, the blend-ability good and the price can't be beat. my absolute favorite of the bunch is Champagne. if you haven't tried the CoverGirl shadows Champagne is your place to start.

Stila Eyeliner vs. Almay Eyeliner

one of my most used and oft replaced items is liquid eyeliner. i can't get enough of that product. Stila is widely known as an amazing option for liquid eyeliner. it is a good formula that doesn't run, smear, crease or fade and the applicator is a dream. i consider myself an applicator connoisseur and this is one area where size really matters.

the Almay liquid liner is my saving grace. introduced to me by my best friend in 9th grade, this eyeliner is inexpensive, easy to apply and has one of my favorite applicator tips. when you go through it as often as i do, $20 on a department store brand gets a bit steep, however $7.99* is fits just right.

YSL Lip Stain vs. L'Oreal Lip Stain

YSL Lip Stains hit the market with a vengeance and became an immediate cult fave. these products were flying off the shelves with everyone clamoring for their favorite shade. why? it has the texture of a gloss but the longwear of a stain. basically the dream lip gloss/stain. the downside of this dream product is its price. $34 for a lip stain isn't exactly in the budge.

thankfully L'Oreal saw that the demand for this product was high and decided to make a more affordable version for the masses. while not quite as dreamy as the original, the L'Oreal stain works well and is offered at a more manageable price point of  $9.99*.

Lancome Mascara vs. L'Oreal Mascara

Lancome's Mascara is one of the best selling mascaras on the market. its formula boasts that it can sculpt, curl and load every lash. exactly what every woman is looking for. 

L'Oreal Voluminous has been and always will be my favorite mascara. not only does it sculpt, curl and load every lash, it does it for less than half the price. honestly, i do not buy department store mascara because i have yet to find one that i love as much as i love the Voluminous. how about the price? $7.79* and it is worth every penny.

Benefit Individual Lashes vs. Ardell Individual Lashes

to put it plainly, there is no real difference. go for the less expensive option - Ardell Lashes $4.99*.

xo,

kristie

*all drugstore prices are courtesy of CVS - which happens to have an amazing beauty selection.

Blow-Dryer 101

my inspiration from this post came from my girls over at weheartthis.com, their instagram feed is a gem where you will find lifestyle, beauty and product tips. they recently posted a group of images from their meet up with COVERGIRL stylists and i spotted this tip: 'heat changes the shape of your hair, cooling sets it in'. it is as if a lightbulb went off and my info-graphic minded self immediately.

how can i NOT share this information with you?!

every hair dryer i have ever purchased has come with a diffuser, a concentrator and a heating & cooling switch. the question is, what do you do with all of these gadgets?

first, the concentrator. this attachment concentrates the airflow to a specific area for better styling. the air current is forced into one condensed direction and when aimed appropriately, from root to hair tip, it helps to seal the hair cuticle. sealing the hair cuticle is what creates smooth, silky, shiny hair. you don't want to blow dry without it.

second, the diffuser. this alien looking instruction helps to circulate the air that comes out of the blow dryer which prevents 'hot spots' when blow drying. the circulated air will heat hair evenly and dry hair evenly, which is the key to frizz free curly/wavy hair.

the hot and cool button - like i mentioned before - are the key to shaping your hair and setting it. you blow dry with the heat setting and when you want to set the style you cool it for a few moments with the 'cool' button. my preferred method with to roll a section of your hair up into a round brush while blow drying with the heat button. continue to hold the hair in the round brush and blast with the cool button until hair cools. this will 'set' your style.

last but not least, keep your tools clean! a clean air filter in a dryer will go a long way towards a better blow dry (more efficient, less likely to overheat!). keeping your brushes clean and free of build up will allow hair to style without buildup. a few quick moments of cleaning will protect your tools for years to come.

xo,
kristie

Makeup Tips For Sleepless Nights

it's been one of those nights where if it is not one child waking up, it's another. you know what i am talking about. you make it to bed WAY later than you should in the first place and only minutes after your head hits the pillow you hear "WAAAAA". makes me cringe just thinking about it.

don't get me wrong, i love my little kiddos. but when i wake up after falling asleep i have a tendency to turn into Darth Maul.

my husband even claims that my voice changes. is he right? i have no idea because i am still about 80% asleep and i have a hard time remembering what i say or do. my tunnel vision tells me "take care of kid. go back to sleep."

so here are some tips to make you look more awake and not so sleep deprived:

to get rid of undereye puffiness, keep some small spoons in the fridge/freezer. when needed place then over your eyes for a few minutes to depuff.

to get wider awake eyes, concentrate your mascara above the pupils and on the outer corners of the eyes.

add color to your washed out skin, apply some pink blush to the apples of your cheeks.

get rid of undereye circles by using some concealer to cover up the dark skin. be careful to not use a color that is too light, otherwise it will be obvious.

eye drops. not to be overused, but sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures.

hope that helps take you from Darth Maul, to happy:

xo,
kristie

How To Fix Broken Chapstick

let's start off the New Year right with a quick and easy tutorial - the bread and butter of Blushing Basics! i decided to create this simple how-to due to the outrageous amount of chapstick we are currently using and the outrageous amount of chapstick that is getting destroyed by my toddler. if you have found yourself in the annoying predicament of having the entire chapstick stuck in the cap, here's how to fix it.

stand the chapstick upright and blow dry for 30 seconds. yep, it is that easy. the chapstick will melt and fall back into the chamber. let it stand until it solidifies again (roughly 30 minutes) and your chapstick is as good as gold.

hopefully this will help keep a few tubes of chapstick out of the chapstick graveyard this winter.

xo,
kristie

Makeup Tip {Applying Lipstick}

sometimes when i apply my lipstick or lip liner i accidentally make a weird bump or squiggle on my lip that looks unnatural. cleaning up that error can be a little difficult if you have already applied your foundation. or, have you ever tried to wipe away RED lipstick? let's just say it's not easy.

this weekend i was able to attend a MAC Pro seminar and i learned the coolest trick for applying lipstick. if you smudge, do not fear. just use an angled brush like the MAC 266

wipe the tip on a moist towel, such as a makeup remover towelette or baby wipe. it's just enough moisture to remove the lipstick without being messy. take your angled brush and just brush over the offending smudge. it should wipe right off. when finished your lips should look perfectly lined.

xo
kristie

How to Get Pouty Lips

since i wasn't one of those people who were naturally blessed with full pouty lips (i'm not hating, just jealous) i am always on the hunt for ideas on how to create them myself.  here are a few tips on how to get that look:

tip #1 begin with a fresh canvas.  this means, make sure those lips are exfoliated and moisturized.  i exfoliate my lips in the morning by running my toothbrush over them a couple of times while i am brushing my teeth.  this loosens any dead skin and the skin comes off smoothly since my lips are already moist and soft from brushing.  moisturize your lips by using a good balm.  in the winter i get very dry and my favorite moisturizer is plain ol' Vaseline.

tip #2 use several shades of lip liner/stick/gloss.  one of the tricks makeup artists use to create dimension and height is to use several shades instead of one single shade for lipstick.  this is best done by lining the lips with a darker nude/natural shade, fill in your lips with an even lighter shade of lipstick, and finish with a dot of gloss in the center of your lips. 

tip #3 create your own shape.  you can slightly change the shape of your lips with your lip liner.  prep your lips by applying your foundation over them.  take your pencil liner and draw just over the edge of your natural lip.  be careful not to go too far or else it will be very obvious. shade the lipstick line into your natural lip.

tip #4 highlight and contour.  yes, this even applies to lips.  if you look at the picture of Angelina above you will notice the shadow under her bottom lip, and the highlight over her top lip.  you can achieve this by using a small bit of highlighting powder/eyeshadow on the end of your finger and dab the top of your cupids bow (the center of your top lip) and take it even a step further by dabbing the lines up towards your nose.  take your contour shade and apply it just below your bottom lip.  this creates the illusion of shadow that full lips would give.

while these steps may take a little bit of work it might be worth it for those family pictures/date night/work party etc.  if you don't have time for all the steps, my best advice is to simply moisturize.  this is a quick and easy way to make your lips look healthy and full.

xo
kristie

How To Get Longer Lashes

longer lashes are genetic - either you've got 'em or you don't. thankfully, science and the beauty industry have filled in the genetic gaps and provided us with lash serums, false lashes and every kind of mascara you could ever want.

we've all heard about lash lengthening serums, but if you don't want to go that route and risk the permanent change in eye color (unless yours are already brown) skip ahead to mascara.

how to find the right mascara. i'm sure if you took a survey of ten friends and asked them which mascara was their favorite, each answer would probably be different. with so many products out there on the market, it can be a bit confusing deciding which one is right for you. here are some suggestions for how to choose a mascara:

• you want more volume. if you have sparse thin eyelashes then you should look for a mascara that is going to volumize your lashes. i'm sure i've praised L'Oreal Voluminous mascara to death, but another mascara you could try is Maybelline Falsies. both mascaras provide a spoon like brush that cups your lashes and thickly coats them.

• you want more length. maybe your lashes aren't sparse but are short. look for a formula that is going to lengthen your lashes. new products, that have entered the market for this specific purpose, are packed with vitamins and proteins that should help to strengthen and lengthen lashes. Rimmel London Lash Accelerator is a product that claims to do just that. additionally, try two different mascaras at once. some work better at lengthening while others are better volumizers. combine those two together and you've got yourself a winning number.

• you want bright eyes. perhaps you'd like a mascara that is going to brighten up the natural color of your eyes? mascaras that are infused with purples, blues, pinks etc. are designed to bring out the color of your irises. one mascara that does that well is Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips. it has two shades of color, one black and one pink. apply the black shade first, then apply the pink to just to the lash tips. the difference will be subtle, but pretty.

how to find the right false lashes. false lashes are the real deal in providing fullness, length and volume, however finding the right false lashes can be trick. check out this in depth review here showing you the details on what false lashes i've tried and which ones are my favorite.

last but not least - curl, curl, curl. you've all heard the tips on heating your curler before curling your lashes or trying an individual lash curler vs. a full lash curler. whatever is your jam, make sure not to skip this essential ingredient to lengthening those lashes (or at least making them appear lengthened!).

xo
kristie

MAC Makeup Must-Haves

let's take a moment to discuss a fan favorite, reader favorite and all-round favorite: MAC Cosmetics. my sister and i were chatting the other day and she asked me "Is MAC your favorite makeup?" the answer is a little more complicated than a yes or no. 

yes, MAC makes amazing quality makeup with an impressive lineup of products, but only a handful of those products are my MUST-HAVE makeup. the rest is lovely but i will forever insist that any mascara over $10 is over-priced and while MAC makeup is stunningly beautiful, it can also be stunt your wallet.

so here are the products that i can't live without, the ones i buy over & over again, because their quality, their color and their performance vs. price per use is unbeatable.

• Creme Cup is my new favorite lipstick. the subtle blue/pink tone makes it the perfect nude for anyone - not too orange.

• Mocha the best blush shade for the most natural blush tone. plum/pink complimentary on all skin tones.

• Fluidline a long-wearing gel liner that applies easily and goes a long way for the $.

• Mineralize Skin Finish packs on the highlight with major dimension.

• Pro Longwear Concealer is genius at concealing. lasts long, blends easily, covers like a dream.

• Naked Lunch, Carbon, Woodwinked and Shroom make consistent appearances in my lineup.

xo,

kristie

Tips For Applying Eyeliner

here are some basic tips to help you apply your pencil eyeliner with precision! i tend to avoid pencil liners as i like the preciseness that liquid liner gives you, however occasionally i step outside my usual routine and use some pencil action. the great thing about pencils is that you have so much versatility with application. you can apply as thick or thin as you like - combine that with a little smudging and you can create all sorts of eyeshadow shapes. liquid eyeliner isn't as friendly with mistakes or blending.

tip one:

hold up eyebrow while applying. holding your eyebrow makes your eyelid skin taught, allowing pencil a smoother canvas to draw on.

tip two:

i sometimes cringe when i look in the mirror and see i've skipped that strip of skin directly above my lash line. usually it's not bad but if you apply in a hurry, that strip of skin looks like Moses parted the Red Sea. take a quick second to draw downwards to ensure that no skin peeks through.

tip three:

if you are going for drama then leave your pencil line as is, but more often than not a smudged pencil line looks more flattering. it blends the eyeliner into your shadow and looks like a more savvy makeup application.

if you have any additional tips for pencil eyeliner application, i would love to hear.

xo,
kristie

pin this image to see all tips in one place!

My Makeup Bag Must-Haves

thanks to reader Ashley who requested to know what i consider my makeup bag essentials. here is a list of products that i love, and use, EVERYDAY.

1. Shu Uemura Color Atelier - investing in a high quality makeup quad is worth every penny. i use my Color Altelier for shadow and blush, which means i get great color pay off.
2. smashbox Contour Palette - contouring is a must for my daily makeup routine.
3. MAC Cream Colour - highlighting is just as important and MAC's Cream Colour Base is perfect.
4. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler - gives those lashes an extra oomph, and works like a charm.
5. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara - it's inexpensive, works great, and washes easily. a trifecta.
6. E.L.F. Lipgloss - only a $1 for this gloss, but you go through it quickly. however, it is glossy and lasts long.
7. Marc Jacobs DAISY - i LOVE this scent. the travel size allows me to bring it along anywhere.
8. Brushes - these are my SEPHORA Limited Edition brushes. my key brushes include a good fluffy face brush, a fluffy eyeshadow brush, a stiff eyeshadow brush, and an angled brush. you can do anything with these four.
9. MAC Liquid Line - a small black line makes all the difference. this product is easy to apply, doesn't smear, and the little tub lasts forever.
10. MUFE Foundation - there are a lot of foundations i like, but this foundation i LOVE.

xo,
kristie

Everyday Eye {Step by Step Tutorial}

i just received the products shown above and i may have done a fist pump (or two) to add some awesome new Urban Decay shadows to my collection, as well as the Urban Decay Super-Saturated Lip Pencil in Big Bang. having previously tried the Big Fatty mascara and the 24/7 eye pencil (both of which were winners) i was in makeup heaven. the Big Bang lip color has already been a makeup staple the last few days and with the eyeshadows i may have created my favorite 'Everyday Makeup' look.

the pictures below don't do this look justice due to the foiling effect of the shadow. i can't capture the shine and shimmer highlight that make this look the ultimate easy eye makeup:

plus, for those of you advancing in years and are worried about using shimmery colors (they tend to accentuate wrinkles) this look actually works since you are only adding shimmer to the very center of your lid, rather than all over.

on to the tutorial!

1. apply nude brown shadow from lashline to crease. in this instance, i am using Urban Decay's YDK shadow.
2. using the foiling technique (for further instruction click here), i foiled my Queen Phyllis to the center of my eyelid only. 
3. using the same brush used for foiling, gently sweep back and forth just above the lash line.
4. enjoy!

xo,
kristie