The Perfect Red Lip

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Every girl needs a good red lipstick. It's sort of a rite of passage into full-fledged womanhood. As a redhead, I have long struggled with this hunt. Nothing was ever quite right...until recently. This time of year begs for a fun red lip so just in time for the last round of holiday parties, I must present to you the result of the search for perfect red lipstick. 

 NARS Audacious Lipstick in Lana

Elle recently published an article about several types of make-up that were perfect for every skin tone. They suggested NARS Audacious Lipstick in Lana as the perfect red for everybody. Considering I have been on the hunt for this shade for years, I ran to my closest Sephora to test it for myself... and helloooooooo orange pout. With just two swipes of this lipstick, my pucker was a bright shade of nectarine- not exactly what I was going for. Luckily, Sephora had other great NARS lipstick options. 

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Annabella 

 

One shade cooler than Lana is Annabella. Eureka! The lipstick is perfection. As a red, it's not too aggressive or overpowering. It just provides a really striking pop of color, much more so than I'm used to wearing, without a crazy red-lips-in-yo-face effect. I can easily wear this lipstick during the day with just a little blush and mascara and think it will be really pretty in the evening with a hint of gold or bronze eye. 

(Insert cheesy selfie of me puckering up to show off my red lipstick)

This time of year, I'll use anything to keep me from looking like Casper! If you've been struggling to find the right red lipstick, give this one a try. The best part about Sephora is that if you don't like something, you can send it back. Do not commit to anything until you've given it a test drive.

Happy Holidays!!

Springtime Beauty

One of spring and summer's biggest perks has got to be the *healthy* sun-kissed glow your skin gets as you spend more time outside. Something about a glowing complexion eases the need for loads of heavy product and you can really downsize your make-up bag and the time spent in front of the mirror. 

If you're looking for a few good spring and summer beauty products, look no further. These lightweight but high-impact products below are sure to help you look your best...by day and by night!

Jane Iredale Dual Highlighter/Jane Iredale DreamTint tinted moisturizer/ Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Mascara/ Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte in Rose Opera/ Smashbox Blush Rush in Radiance

 Bobbi Brown LongWear Cream Shadow in Beach Bronze/ Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Rose/ Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eye Liner brush/ Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink

***For day:*** 

-Start by applying tinted moisturizer and concealer if you need it. 

-Add highlighter along your brow bone, the inside corner of your eyes and inside your lower lid to make your eyes look brighter. 

-Swipe two coats of black mascara along your upper and lower lashes. (Sorry, I'm a mascara horse.)

-Use a large brush to add blush on the apples of your cheeks and swoop upward toward your temples. 

-Complete the look with bright lipstick. If it looks too heavy, blot it lightly once and reapply as necessary throughout the day. 

***Into night:***

-Layer on cream eyeshadow for not only glamorous shimmer but also some serious staying power. 

-Line your upper lids and inside the lid with black gel eyeliner. 

-Refresh your facial flush while adding a little more highlight to your cheeks with a light swipe from the Shimmer Brick.

-Reapply your lipstick...all. night. long.

When you're a make-up junkie like me, it's so easy to get sucked into every trend or want to try out tons of products. But, though it's a tough lesson to learn, sometimes simpler is better. Do you have any good make-up tips for spring and summer?