Casual Friday Cherry Lips

Wooohoo it is finally Friday!!!
That calls for a pop of color to celebrate.
I wore it on my lips today, in the form of a cherry red butter.

A quick swipe of Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Candy Apple should get you in the Friday mood. This stuff is fantastic! It smooths on like a balm but hangs on like a stain, and you can add more layers for more color intensity. I kept it tame but fun with one layer.

It wears well too, so if you get busy in the office you don't have to worry about flaking, or the color migrating to your chin.

This look can be achieved easily with a multitude of products--a red lipstick (remember to blot), a stain, cherry Chapstick, or even treating yourself to a red Popsicle.

Happy weekend!

PLUMP IT UP !!! Good Skin Tri-Alkaline Wrinkle Filler

Let me start by stating... this stuff is not cheap.
And you don't get much. This tube may look huge but it is like.. an ounce.
But luckily, it lasts because a little goes a long way. And, even better, it works !
It usually runs about $45, but grab it on ebay for $20 or less.
The package keeps the ingredients stable, so shipping and all will be easy and safe.

I dab this under my eyes and on the wrinkles between my eyebrows 3, maybe 4 nights a week.
I notice an immediate difference, and it carries over to the next morning when I look less tired and cranky (those eyebrow crinkles just make me look angry, ya know??).

It does not have a smell, nothing unpleasant.  I just squeeze a tiny amount (less than a dime-size..more like a pinky-nail-size!) onto my ring finger and tap it into the wrinkles, or I will squeeze it directly under my eyes in a quick swoop, leaving a line of the stuff, and then tap it in.

It is water and silicone based, and packed with antioxidants and other goodies.  So even if it doesn't make your wrinkles disappear, it is helping your skin out.

I've even put it on during the day (usually when I've had a late, tipsy night).  I moisturize, apply this, and once it dries and sets (like 45 seconds), you can apply concealer/powder, etc.  It doesn't show, although the cream is white.

It just plumps up lines.  To put it simply.  Good stuff !

fun + easy nail color blocking

To get this.....

All you need are these!

Make sure you choose a color for the coat that will work as an overlay that is opaque; a sheer color will mix with the base color and you will not achieve the actual color-blocking effect (unless you have more patience than me and don't paint one color over the other, but rather both on bare nails).

Pick colors that will look unique together. I love these pastels in contrasting colors!
Obviously the critical factor to a good-looking pain job here is minding the thickness of the coats and allowing ample drying time, as you are going to be laying a sticker on top of your painted nail. That sticker has to be pressed in and sealed tightly so as to provide a straight, clean line!
These are basic office stickers I found at the store for less than $1 (for a few sheets of stickers), and I cut them in half for this. You can use tape too, or even a cut up playing card. I like the tape because you put it on, slap on the next layer of color, and let the sticker do all the work, only peeling it off when the nail is dry.
With a playing card you have to hold it there and apply even pressure the whole time you are painting color on.
So consider your method and your dedication level before you begin!

I prefer lazy-woman's manicures; these look like they took an hour or two but o used stickers and quick drying polish, so they took about 15-20 minutes total!

Happy Color Blocking !

smashbox limitless gloss in forever

Cruising around Sephora and although another gloss is the LAST thing I need (especially another pink one), I have never tried anything from smashbox. And this stuff bragged to last "as long as 6 hours" and considering I get busy at work and often times don't have the time or patience to put on a fresh coat of gloss, that appealed to me.
And also challenged the cynic in me. Because how often have we heard those makeup claims about things holding up for hours? And how often are they actually TRUE??? So I figured I'd see if this lip gloss was up for the challenge.

The color and texture are lovely-- a smooth, shimmering candy mauve that glimmers without any sparkles or chunks of crap. And it isn't sticky.
The color is "forever." 
The applicator is an extra long doe's foot that deposits a wonderful amount, so you don't need to double dip. But if you want to double dip... you can apply a lot of this gloss without it getting gloopy.
Which is miraculous in itself. And the more you apply, the longer it lasts!

I catch myself wearing this stuff in different lighting and go "woah my lips look pretty!!!"

And, most shocking and pleasing of all, it holds up.
For hours.
I haven't gone the full 6 without eating or drinking, so I can't verify that claim, but I've worn it for 4 while drinking coffee and it held up. And still looks pretty! It doesn't flake or cause that white buildup, and it doesn't get crap caught in it.
It's gorgeous and simple and effective.
I'm fussy about texture and I love it.  It doesn't smell/taste marvelous, but it doesn't stink either.
Just a good, grown-up lip gloss.
Worth $22. This baby will last. Especially with minimal applications.

Could it be?
Could I have found my Holy Grail lip gloss?!

MUFE Aqua Cream

In 18 (light lilac shimmer) is great stuff.
Sheer, creamy, crease-proof and long-lasting, it's a pop of color sure to spice up your Monday.

Apologies for the bags under my eyes--that Superbowl was a nail biter!