Signature makeup looks

If you're like me and have a go to makeup look you're not alone. Often I go for nudes because my favorite thing to do, is rock a bold lip with a neutral eye. You can buy a low end set or a higher end and work it! Often the palettes offer a wide range from shimmer to matte and a darker shadow for smoky shading.
A good lower end and wallet friendly version is maybelline the nudes or physicians formula shimmer strips nude collection. Add a pop of nude wear blush,  also from physician formula and finish with their highlighter and you're set to glow! 

A higher end brand like bobbi brown also delivers and with so many ranges in her collection you really can't go wrong. My personal favorite is smokey nudes palette. It's brand new and absolutely gorgeous! You'll get high mileage out of this palette and pairing with her brightening blush friends will be asking how you are so glowy! Bobbi also offers a learning section on her site so you can't go wrong with picks! 

Skin detox

August Is the time of the year I like to do a ritual skin detox and get prepped for fall. A few try it's on my wish list:

-Peter Thomas roth skinstant mask magic, a trio
-FRESH flower power kit
-glam Glo instant camera ready skin kit
-algenist hydrating essence skin toner
-Boscia tabuki beauty oil

Do you do a skin detox at the end of summer too?

Lipstick or gloss girl?

Do you prefer lipstick or gloss? Honestly I love lipstick. But the fact that the new formulas out there have me re thinking about using gloss. Before,  ugh. The stickiness drove me away. I hated battling my hair getting into it and messing my makeup up. But the new formulas pack a punch. You get the benefit of the glossy look but without the stickiness. Some quick hits:

L'Oréal color caresse wet shine stain in rose on and on. Goes on like a lip stain but dries with look of a gloss.

NARS lip gloss in angelika. They recently overhauled their entire gloss line and reformulated their glosses. Now they're even better and long lasting without the stickiness. 

Ysl rouge pur couture glossy stain in pecche cerra cola.  It goes on kind of watery but packs a punch. You will be amazed at the results!  Super shiny and long lasting. I know,  because it lasted through coffee and brunches.

Revlon moisture stay balm in Cannes Film. ..gorgeous colors and so moisturizing!  Dries like a balm and shines without sticking.

Have you tried the new formulas?  I think the lip gloss revolution has only begun and I can't wait to see what comes next! 

The nude makeup look

Thinking of trying out the new nude trend?  Worried it will wash you out? If you stick to pink champagne based hues, it will not wash you out. I think the nude monochromatic look is gorgeous and gives you a "I just woke up like this" vibe. Quick hits include:
Urban decay naked 3 palette.  This rose gold palette is perfection. The minute I saw it I needed it. Still am obsessed over it!
NARS duo in silk road. Matte with a bit of glam
Maybelline THE nudes palette. With a range of hues it's a bet that you'll find a perfect one that works for you and bonus, some darker hues if you're feeling a smokier look.

As a rule when doing nude, don't use super dark liner it will take away from the product of the overall look. Switch to brown or copper instead. Fill your brows in and some light blush and you are good to go!

Garden in full bloom

For a while I waited and waited while I watered,  weeded,  and watched for the growth to hit. Finally,  I'm starting to see lots of color! Zinnias are getting HUGE, which I love.  Sunflowers are forming the heads now, and almost all my coneflowers,  susies, and phlox are bloomed!  Here's a dreamy peek

Pore obsessed?

If you're like me and getting a wee bit older by now you've probably started obsessing with pores. There's a range of products low to high end that will help you out with it though!  And some are affordable!  Quick hits:
-loreal Paris youth code pore vanisher
-clinique correcting serum
-dr jart detox pore penetrator

And quick makeup fixes to help minimize on the spot if you're impatient like me:

-tarte Amazonian clay finishing powder
-smashbox photo finish primer, helps to fill in the pores for a smoother finish
-make up forever high definition finishing powder

Favorite shoe brands

I have a few favorite brands I just really love. Season after season,  the styles can't be beat.  There's always something on my wishlist of theirs!! NINE WEST is my top favorite, followed by Jessica Simpson and Steve Madden,  and lucky brand. As far as shoes go I don't brand hop, mainly because once I find a versatile brand I love and it fits perfectly every time, it locks my loyalty in. And so I often find way too many I love from just a couple brands!  Steve Madden makes the best boots and Jessica Simpson makes the cutest heels. And for the versatility of all heels, NINE WEST takes the cake every season. Especially when they have collabs with INSTYLE, awesome things happen! Lucky brand I already own so many ballet flats from. They're buttery and soft, and a great half point price tag where you aren't sacrificing cheap for quality.

Blush

Are you a blush addict? One of my favorite makeup items besides lipstick,  is blush. You can go from sweet and barely flushed to full on glowing and "just took a walk in the crisp fall air". Don't let fair skin scare you away! I think the biggest fun of it all is how the bright color pleasantly surprises you by how subtle it looks out of the pan. A few quick faves of mine are:
-NARS orgasm, NARS Mata hari, and new attitude. 
-tarte in tipsy and blushing bride
-smashbox halo in "in bloom"
-maybelline dream bouncy in peach satin

Peach is a universal shade and looks good on everyone!  So if in doubt,  go with peach.

Blush on!!