four favorites

Going along with the beach theme for favorites this week, I've picked some of my favorite items that I own, and you'll definitely see me with at the beach come July! 

Aldo Wayfairs: I'm definitely an aviators girl, but I decided to try out wayfairs and I'm in love with these from Aldo. 

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray: I think sea salt sprays are great for the summer time, especially at the beach. I shared how I use this surf spray to get "beachy waves"  in a post from last summer, which you can see here. 

Smashbox BB Cream: I don't know how many times I can feature this stuff or how many different ways I can say that I love it. Basically, it's my face sunscreen (SPF 35),  provides a little bit of coverage, and is very lightweight. Click here for a more in-depth review. 

C. Wonder Neon Stripe Tote: Any kind of tote is necessary for packing all of your necessities for the beach. I love that this one is neutral, but still summer-y with the neon stripes. 

What are some of your essentials for the beach or a summer getaway? 

makeup in minutes

Anybody else feeling the effects of Daylight Saving Time? Now that it's completely dark outside when I wake up, my body's instant reaction is snooze... snooze.. snooze. Maybe I'll become a morning person one of these days. But that day is not today. Because of my limited time, I'm depending a lot on fast makeup application. If I'm running crazy late, I reach for products I can apply very quickly or take with me if absolutely necessary. I'd say I don't spend more than 5 minutes when I use just these products...

Smashbox BB Cream
This is a matte finish BB cream that I can trust to keep my skin oil-free all day. More on it here. I apply this with a disposable makeup sponge for quick application. 

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Spot Concealer
Since BB cream doesn't completely cover the issues my skin is having as of this week, this concealer does the trick to conceal any blemishes. I love that all I have to do is twist the cap, dab a little on each spot, and blend it in with my sponge. I am blessed to not have dark circles, but if I did, I would easily double up and use this as my under eye concealer as well. 

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
This takes me just a few seconds to set my BB cream and concealer to lock it in place all day long. 

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium Dark
I'm quite pale right now and this gives my face some color. If I was a little more tan, I would most likely skip this step. 

ELF Blush in Pink Passion
The bright pink blush looks intimidating in the package, but a light application of this is a perfect flush of pink to perk up my face. 

Maybelline MasterDrama Eyeliner
I usually only apply eyeliner if I skip eye shadow. Lasts all day and it's a retractable eyeliner that doesn't require sharpening. 

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze
I've raved about this product before. Just swipe a little of this using my ring finger on to my eye lids and it looks likes I actually spent time to do my makeup. 

Maybelline The Falsies Flared Mascara
I like using this mascara on days when I'm in a rush because it dries so fast. It's also the one that I can use on both my top and bottom lashes without the fear of it ever smudging throughout the day. 

If I had to shorten it down even more, I would just use BB Cream, concealer, blush, and mascara. Sometimes I like the challenge of seeing how fast I can apply my makeup. If only I was more into challenging myself to see how fast I could run... 

What makeup products do you depend on for quick makeup? 

xo, Mal

12 beauty favorites of 2012

Looking back, 2012 was a great year for discovering new products. I have a lot of favorite products form the year, but only a few that I will re-purchase over and over again. It's hard to even pick an absolute number one makeup product or tool. 

So, here are my "top 12 of 2012." 

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

A lot of people ask if both palettes are necessary. I personally love the Naked 2 better than the original. I use them both, but I reach for Naked 2 more because it has cooler colors that are perfect for everyday subtle looks. 

Maybelline Color Tattoos

I can't say enough about these. The longevity, pigmentation and price. Amazing. More on these cream shadows here.

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream

Ah, it was the year of the BB creams. Smashbox got it right. It evens out my skin tone, provides light coverage, and lasts all day. Perfect for days in the sun or traveling. 
My post dedicated to this BB cream is here. 

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

This powder is a savior for girls with oily skin. Apply it in the morning over your foundation and you're good to go for the rest of the day. For $6.00 at the drugstore, you can't beat it! 

Maybelline MasterDrama Eyeliner 

This year I finally found the only eyeliner that does not smudge throughout the day. This has better staying power than Urban Decay 24/7 glide on pencils, and you don't have to sharpen these.

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer

This is a creamy concealer that really brightens the under the eyes. I like it better than the YSL Touch Eclat concealer (which is $45). See my blog post on this amazing concealer!

Soap & Glory Hand Food Lotion

This is amazing stuff. This is the only lotion that doesn't leave a greasy feeling after applying.  Use before bed and your hands feel so silky and soft in the morning. 

Mary Kay Timewise Moisturizer

I've been using this since late 2011, but I never realized how much I loved this moisturizer until this year. I tried to stray, but I can't find anything like it. Hey, if it isn't broke, don't fix it. More on this moisturizer here. 

Maybelline Babylips in Quenched

The most moisturizing lip balm at the drugstore. They’ve since come out with some new colors that I’m dying to try. Read my post on Babylips here.

Clarisonic Mia

The Clarisonic has kinda changed my life. I’m not really sure how I ever washed my face before. I use it with a gentle Neutrogena cleanser and it gets every spec of makeup off. If you don’t have one, and have been on the fence about getting one, I say do it. It’s definitely well worth the money! 

Revlon ColorStay Whipped Creme Foundation

I know I've mentioned it before, but the Revlon ColorStay whipped foundation has ousted the liquid version as my holy grail foundation. I'm on jar number 3 in just 6 months because I use it so much. It's the longest-lasting foundation with the most natural finish.
More on this foundation here. 

Sultra Bombshell Curling Wand (1 ¼”)

I can honestly say that this curling wand has changed my hair life. I prefer a curling wand over a curling iron because the curls last… for days..and days. If only I was one of those girls that could go a week without washing my hair. But, by day 3 I need a wash and I’m always sad to see the wavy curls go. I highly recommend using a curling wand over a curling iron now. There are some great inexpensive ones at Ulta and Target. You can find the Sultra Bombshell at Sephora.

What were your favorite products of 2012?

xo, Mal

Tips for Your New Year's Night Out!

Happy Friday, y'all! 
I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. I've been enjoying some time off of work by stepping away from the computer and just enjoying a break! But today I wanted to share a few tips I'll be using on New Year's to help my makeup last all night long.

My friends and I have a fun night out planned for New Year's Eve. I'm looking forward to being with my friends-- getting ready, doing our hair & makeup, and seeing how much glitter and sequins will cover the floors of our hotel room by the time we are ready to leave. Even if you aren't planning to do anything on December 31, you can use these tips for any night out! 

Exfoliating Face Wash

The first step is starting with a fresh face. Use an exfoliating face wash. I prefer to use the Neutrogena Deep Clean daily scrub. It contains rice protein, which soaks up excess oil and keeps you shine-free for hours. 

Foundation Primer

I feel like I can't preach the benefits of using foundation primer enough. Primer is key for helping your foundation adhere to a fresh face. Without a primer, your foundation can more easily fade away throughout the day/night. Especially if you have oily skin. I recommend Smashbox or Prestige primer.

 Eyeshadow Primer
Just like foundation, your eye shadow also needs a base to stick to in order for it to last. Many brands make an eyeshadow primer. Urban Decay primer potion (in Eden) works best for me. It has a light neutral color to it, which cancels out redness and discoloration on my eyelids, and creates a nice base for eye shadow. Using a lighter colored base will also help your vibrant, shimmery shadows pop just a little bit better. Another tip-- apply a little primer under your lower lashes to keep eyeliner in place.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

If you wear a liquid foundation, you should set it with a powder to “lock” it in. This powder will instantly mattify your foundation and concealer without it looking cakey. Do yourself a favor and pick up Rimmel Stay Matte at your nearest drugstore if you haven't already! 

MAC Fix + (or just plain water!)
MAC Fix + is a versatile product. Its most popular use is as a setting spray after you've applied all of your makeup. However, if you plan to use glittery eyeshadow and want to prevent major fallout, I suggest spraying your shadow brush with MAC Fix +, then pick up the glitter, and apply to your eye lids. You can get a similar effect by just wetting your brush with running water. 

Makeup Setting Spray
The last step to ensure long-lasting makeup is using a setting spray. Urban Decay makes the All Nighter spray that you can get at any Ulta or Sephora. Just spritz a little bit all of your face after your makeup is done and you're good to go. 

What should you keep in your clutch? 
I'm not one to touch up my makeup throughout the night. After using a few extra steps in your makeup application, you really shouldn't have to! But I do like to pack just a few things in case I'm in the restroom and need to do a quick touch up. You just never know! Aside from the usual necessities, I'll have my NYX blotting sheets to keep oil at bay, my favorite lip balm, lip stick, eyeliner and some mints! 

What products or tips do you use for long-lasting makeup?
What kind of NYE plans do you have? 

Have a great weekend and... Happy New Year! 

review: smashbox camera ready bb cream

What is BB cream? The “BB” stands for beauty balm or blemish balm. And if skincare and makeup had a baby, it would be BB cream. This do-it-all cream combines functions of a primer, anti-aging serum, moisturizer, light coverage, tinted color, and contains SPF.

BB cream was originally created in the 1950’s by a German dermatologist to help post-chemical peel patients cover their redness. These creams are very popular in the Asian beauty supply market, and are quickly spreading into the US. Once one company came out with one, the rest quickly followed. Drugstore brands such as Garnier, Maybelline, L’oreal and Covergirl all make a form of BB cream. High-end brand BB creams include Dr. Jart, Stila, Dior and Smashbox.

I’m going on vacation next week and have been on the hunt for the perfect BB cream to replace my foundation for days when I’ll just be laying out on the beach. I once tried the Garnier BB cream, but found it to be way too greasy on my face and didn’t seem to do much else to outweigh that disadvantage. I have oily skin, so an added greasy finish is a no-go.

What I’m specifically looking for in a BB cream is light coverage, oil control (non-greasy), and SPF. I decided to spend more and hopefully get better results, so I picked up the Smashbox Camera Ready BB cream in the shade light/medium with SPF 35. After reading reviews on Sephora, I found that this one claims to do all of the things on my list.

The packaging is nice and sleek. It’s a small squeeze tube, which makes it easy to throw in a bag and apply anywhere. 

The product itself feels just like sunscreen. I apply it in small sections on my face at a time so I can focus on blending before it dries. The results have been 10x better than I expected. I’ve worn this a couple times while laying out at the pool, and it truly does control oil in my t-zone, gives light coverage and also a little bit of a bronzing effect. 

This blended so well into my skin, and the color matches pretty perfectly. 

You might be thinking, “what’s the difference between this and a tinted moisturizer?” Well, to me this one offers more coverage, color, oil control, and contains higher SPF.

I recommend this to anyone with oily skin and/or just wants to replace their foundation on the hot summer days for lighter coverage. If you have dry skin, I would definitely make sure you still apply a moisturizer before, just to be sure this doesn't leave your skin looking too flat or dry. 

Let me know if you try or have tried this product. Have you tried any other brands of BB cream? I’m looking forward to getting my money’s worth out of this next week! 

summer makeup

For my first official blog post, what better way to start than with some seasonal tips? Summer has not “officially” begun yet, but according to Louisiana, summer began about 2 months ago. Usually in the summer, my makeup routine gets lighter and I prefer to use fewer products. Less is definitely more this time of year. I need medium coverage to help conceal scars and redness, but I don’t want it to melt away in the first few minutes of being in the sun. These are a few products I depend on daily to help my makeup last all day without going overboard on the application. Check back soon to see my recommendations for skincare and hair care!

1: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer: Foundation primer is key to helping a liquid foundation last all day, especially if you have combination/oily skin. The right primer will smooth out any lines in your face, and create a nice texture for your foundation to “stick” to. Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting is my all-time favorite, but it can be expensive. I use the color correcting green bottle as the green cancels my redness from acne scars. If this isn’t the case for you, I recommend the original clear bottle. I’ve used it and love it also!

2: Revlon ColorStay Foundation (for Combination/Oily Skin): Okay, before I start confessing my love affair with this product, I’ll just say: Go get this now! The Revlon ColorStay line itself is one of my favorite drugstore lines. Here’s a few reasons why this is my go-to foundation for everyday: long wearing, easy to blend (must work fast), medium-full coverage, lightweight, wide color selection, and has SPF 15. You can find it at any drugstore, Target, or Ulta. (If you only need light coverage with some color, I recommend a good tinted moisturizer, like this one or this one.)

3: Laura Mercier translucent powder: Setting your foundation with a loose translucent powder is optional. Us oily skin girls sometimes see it as a must. I bought this one at Sephora over a year ago, use it almost everyday, and I still have a ton of product left. As a mineral powder, it’s superfine and sheer, so it will really help set a liquid foundation and prolong the wear of your makeup.

4: Tarte Park Ave Princess Bronzer: As you probably already know, it’s best to use bronzer where the light will naturally hit your face: cheekbones (forego the blush), bridge of nose, temples and up to the forehead, and the chin. This Tarte bronzer is matte, blends well, and gives a natural finish. Tarte is one of my favorite high-end brands. Their products are formulated without parabens, phthalates or synthetic fragrances. Seriously love this stuff!

5: Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer in Eden: I swear by eye primer. I have extremely oily eyelids as the day goes on. You may not be the same. But, eye primer can be just as important as foundation primer. Because of oil that builds up during the day, my eye shadow used to last 4 hours at best. This Urban Decay primer is the best I've found so far. Now my shadows last 12+ hours. 

6: Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner: Eyeliner is certainly not a “must” for everyday. But I love me some eyeliner on most days. I use this Urban Decay pencil liner because it’s quick and easy to apply on the waterline, and it does not smudge, even after about 8 hours.

7: L’oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara: The L’oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara is my “Holy Grail” mascara. No matter how many others I try, I always go back to this one, even over the high-end brands. The waterproof version is no different. I like the waterproof usually just on the weekends or for days at the pool.

8: Urban Decay All Nighter or De-Slick setting spray: A setting spray is optional. I recommend using one when you’ll be out all day and night, and don’t want to touch up or even think about your makeup. This Urban Decay spray is formulated without parabens, sulfates, and synthetic dyes. Gotta love that.

9: EOS lip balm: Those check out lines get me every time. Ever since spotting this “egg looking thing” at Ulta, the EOS lip balm has easily become my preferred lip balm for the summer. I love the lemon drop scent because it is super moisturizing, has SPF 15, and it smells amazing. Ulta, drugstores, and Target carry these balms.

10: NYX Green Tea blotting paper: Gone are the days of touching up with a powder. I suggest keeping blotting sheets in your purse instead. Once during the day, I’ll use a sheet to soak up excess oils and keep my makeup looking fresh. I use the NYX Green Tea sheets, which you can buy at Ulta.

So, that’s it for my makeup essentials for the summer. I’ll share some skincare and haircare products next. What would you add? Leave me some comments! I love seeing what kind of products other people use and trust.

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