Beauty Blender, I love you.

If you have never used a Beauty Blender, you are really missing out on a quite a gem of a product.

Beauty Blenders are not new, but if you have never used the little, pink, egg-shaped sponges, you should give it a try.  The Beauty Blender can be used with any liquid or cream product (i.e.: concealer, foundation, highlighter, etc) and produce an amazing, airbrushed look.  Somehow the sponge applies the perfect amount of makeup and absorbs excess product at the same time.  I like to dampen the sponge with water, then squeeze out the excess moisture before dipping it into makeup.  Use the broader end to apply makeup to larger areas of the face, and the skinnier side to apply to smaller areas- it works like a dream for nooks and crannies like the under eye area and around the nostrils!  Lately I have been using these little babies for foundation, concealer and highlighter application on my clients, and I am in love.

You can buy Beauty Blender from Sephora ($20 for 1, $30 for 2), which seems a little steep for a sponge, but they are reusable if you remember to be good about cleansing them (as often as any other makeup brush!).  It is $20 well spent in my opinion.

My Beauty Blender multi-pack (including their cleanser) for my makeup kit, along with a few other goodies from Naimies.

Product Review: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush

Highlighting products seem to be very popular right now in the beauty world.  I tend to use highlighting only for special occasions, but after finding a product that combines blush and highlighter into one product, I am likely going to change my tune.  This little makeup wonder is called Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush, which combines the brightening benefits of blush and highlighter to create a beautiful, healthy glow.   This blush comes in five shades, which should suit a multitude of skin tones.  I purchased the shade "Mood Exposure", which is a soft plum with pearly highlighter.  It is a little pricey at $35 a pop, but anytime I can cut down on the amount of products in my arsenal, I will suck it up.  I have been a loyal Nars Orgasm blush user for about 7 years now, but this Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush has been finding its way into my daily routine since I purchased it.  It is definitely worth a try, if it fits in your beauty budget.

This is "Mood Exposure" up close.

This is what it looks like on me:) Also, I have the Anastasia Dipbrow on in this photo.

Another angle, so you can really see the impact of the highlighting formula (brows not filled in this one!)

Product Review: Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow

If you have read my previous blog posts, you probably are aware of my eyebrow obsession.  I am constantly on the lookout for products that make my routine easier, but also produce a nice, groomed look.  If you are in the market for a new brow product (or just want to try something new!), I have a winner for you!
Anastasia Beverly Hills line specializes in brow grooming products (think brow pencils, liners, gels, stencils, etc), but their newest one is pretty amazing.  DipBrow is a brow pomade that comes in a pot, which you apply with an angled brush.  It comes in a variety of shades, is waterproof, and can be used alone or with other products.  DipBrow provides light control and shading, which is great if your  brows are a bit sparse or light.  It has a nice, powdery finish that does not appear heavy or fake.
I used the DipBrow pomade (in Blonde) this morning for the first time, and I am very impressed with its wear and longevity.  I did not use any other brow products, aside from my angled and spoolie brushes, and my brows are lookin' good! At $18 it is not exactly inexpensive, but it works well and has the potential to cut out other products that you may use in your brow arsenal.  Worth it!

A little DipBrow pot, so you can a feel for the size.

Brow drawn on my hand using the DipBrow in Blonde and an angled brush.

Me wearing Dipbrow!

Product Review: Illuminare Concealing Mineral Foundation

I am am a loyal BareMinerals foundation user, but sometimes I like a little more coverage than it offers.  As you may already know, I have pretty sensitive and acne-prone skin, so it is difficult to find a moderate to full coverage liquid foundation that doesn't make me break out.  When I reordered my beloved Cor Silver Soap, Skincarestore.com sent me a couple of samples, the Illuminare Concealing Mineral Foundation being one of them.  I gave it a try yesterday, and I have to say, it is pretty great.
I simply used my hands and fingers to apply and blend onto my face (make sure to use moisturizer first for better blending), but a brush or sponge may be used if preferred.  After applying the foundation, my face barely required any concealer aside from a little brightening under the eyes.  The finish is semi-matte, and the look is flawless (no caking or weird oxidation here!).  I am seriously considering buying a tube of this stuff to have on hand for special occasions (or for when my skin acts up).  A tube is about $27, which isn't cheap, but since you require such a small amount for a full-face application, it should last quite a while.  And it contains sunscreen (SPF 20!)  Something to consider if you are in search of a new foundation:)

This is what the foundation looks like:) And Nars Dragon Girl on the lips.

My little sample packet.  Need more of this!

Product Review: BareMinerals Faux Glow Face

I am always hesitant to try sunless tanners, especially on my face, since they tend to make me break out.  Since BareMinerals tinted moisturizer, foundation and concealer do not make me break out, I decided to give their version for the face a try.  BareMinerals Faux Tan Face Gradual Glow is a gradual sunless tanner for the face and neck.  It is supposed to provide a golden glow without the damaging effects on the sun.

The instructions for usage of this sunless tanner do not vary from any other kind out there.  Basically apply evenly to clean, dry skin and wash hands thoroughly.  The formula is tinted, so you can ensure the product is evenly distributed on the skin.    You can choose to reapply every day to enhance the color, but I would advise applying every few days, which is enough to beat the pallor of winter and not look like a tanning junkie.

After one use, my skin felt extremely soft and moisturized, and I appeared more bronzed than I ordinarily look at this time of year.  The color is very believable; not too orange or brown.  It also helps disguise discoloration / unevenness a bit too (which means less foundation and concealer!).
I have not had any breakouts from this product so far, so I am pretty pleased.  I would definitely recommend BareMinerals Faux Glow Face sunless tanner.

This product can be purchased at Sephora, Ulta or BareMinerals stores for about $24.

P.S. the line also carries a body formula, which I can't wait to try!

I will try to add a photo soon of the before and after:)

Product Review: bareMinerals Shades of Decadence Collection

First off, I want to apologize about the lack of posts the last week or so.  I am sure you all are busy with the holiday season as well, but I promise I am not being a slacker! I have a couple product reviews coming in the near future, and this is one of them...

For Christmas, I received the bareMinerals Shades of Decadence Collection from my mom (who is also a makeup fanatic, by the way!).  I didn't need more makeup by any means, but I am always happy to try out new and different products that come my way.  This set includes nine eyeshadows and six lip glosses (3 Marvelous Moxie glosses, 3 regular glosses) and comes in a really cute gold box.
The eyeshadow colors are gorgeous, ranging from light, shimmery shades to deeper tones that can double as eyeliner if used with a damp brush. You may even be able to use some of the lighter shades to highlight your face as well.  Although these shadows look gorgeous alone, I would recommend using a eyeshadow primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion is my favorite) to help keep it in place and make the color stand out more.

Shadow colors from top to bottom: Cypress (smoky greenish grey),  Glitz (dark shimmery plum), Atomic Plume (mushroom), Splendid (warm shimmery gold),  Rose Gold (rosy gold, ha!), Aglow (pearly whitish pink), Brave (light gold glitter), Gilt (light gold), and Wink (warm brown)

The lip glosses are very pretty and the shades are wearable.  I have to say that I am a fan of the regular glosses more than the Moxie line, since the latter are a tad too shimmery for my liking.  Still, the lip glosses are nice and would suit most skin tones.  Plus, the regular lip glosses are 100% natural, which always makes me a happy girl.

Lip gloss colors from top to Bottom: Vixen (bright shimmery pink), Temptress (shimmery rose), Tantalizer (shimmery nude), Starfruit (light pink), Wearable Mauve (light rose), Raspberry Truffle (pink).

 The only issues I have with this collection are, a) the eyeshadows are a bit messy, since they are loose powders and b) the 15 separate containers take up a fair amount of space, so they aren't the most portable.
Overall, I think the Shades of Decadence Collection is a good buy, since it is only $39 and comes with so many fun eyeshadow shades and lip glosses.  If you are trying to keep your makeup collection more concise / easy to carry, I would probably recommend skipping it and getting a palette that includes shadows and lip glosses in one compact.

If you have any questions about these products, please let me know.  I plan to do a tutorial with this collection very soon, so be on the lookout!

My Top 10 Dupes

In case you are not familiar with the world of Pinterest, "dupes" are essentially duplicates or cheaper versions of expensive products.  There are so many great lists already compiled, but I wanted to share some of my personal faves.
 1. Prestige Liquid Eyeliner ($4.99) vs MAC Liquid Eyeliner ($19.50
These two eyeliners are very similar in texture, finish, and longevity.  They also both have a felt tip applicator which makes for easy application. At under $5, you can't go wrong trying out the drugstore option.

2.  Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner ($9.99) vs MAC Fluidline ($16.00)
Both of these gel eyeliners are long-lasting and have a deep black finish.  The Maybelline formula is a little smoother in texture, while the MAC is thicker.  Both are very easy to use, but the Maybelline version even comes with a little brush!

3.  NYX Eyebrow Pushup Bra ($9.99) vs Anastasia Beverly Hills Duality Highlighting Pencil ($23.00)
Each of these pencils have a matte brightening formula on one end, which are great for highlighting the inner corner of the eyes as well as the brow bone.  The main difference is the NYX version has a regular brow pencil on the opposite end, and the Anastasia has a shimmery highlighter on the other side.

4. L’oreal Voluminous Mascara ($7.99) vs Lancome Hypnose Mascara ($27.00)
Rumor has it that these two brands are manufactured with the same formula.  I happen to LOVE cheap mascara, and the L'Oreal performs beautifully.

5. Revlon Colorburst Kissable Balm Stain ($8.99) vs Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm ($17.00)
Each of these lipstick balms are glossy and easy to apply, but you can try out more shades without spending as much with the drugstore option.

6. Real Technique Brushes ($6.00 and up) vs any expensive brush (ie: MAC, Sigma, etc)
Real Techniques brushes are excellent quality and offer lots of professional types of brushes that you may not be able to find in other inexpensive brand offerings.  They are all synthetic, which is a plus if you are into animal-friendly products. 

7. Maybelline Magic Lumi Highlighter ($12.99) vs YSL Touche Eclat ($40.00)
Both of these highlighting pens are amazing for disguising dark circles or highlighting the cheekbones.  At less than $15, the Magic Lumi is a steal.  The con for the inexpensive version is the shade offerings are not as extensive.

8. Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Eyeshadow ($6.99) vs MAC Paint Pot ($20.00)
Cream eyeshadows are amazing for using as a base or adding richer color to eyemakep.  The Maybelline version peforms wonderfully and lives up to the 24 hour name.  MAC Paint Pots, however, come in a larger array of shades and finishes.

9. Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips (Nude) Palette ($11.99) vs Urban Decay Naked Palette ($52.00, comes with brush)
The Physicians Nude Palette offers similar shades and hues to the Naked Palette, at a fourth of the cost.  The Urban Decay palette comes with a handy dual ended brush. 

10. Sally Hansen Double Duty Base and Top Coat ($4.99) vs OPI Start to Finish 3 in 1 Treatment ($12.95)
Sally Hansen's Double Duty Base and Top Coat keeps manicures fresh for up to a week.  The OPI version is technically a 3 in 1, so you may benefit a little more from the added strengthener, but I happen to love the inexpensive version.


　

　

　

Tutorial: Red Lips (and otherwise natural makeup)

After posting this photo to my Instagram account (@ericabasha, if you want to follow)  I had a request for a tutorial / product information.  This is a typical weekend day look for me, since it is quick, easy and looks put together.  So here it is!

1.  Apply moisturizer to the face as normal.  I also use a tinted moisturizer over my regular moisturizer.  I like Bare Minerals Skincare Tinted Moisturizer because it doesn't make me break out and it has sunscreen in it.  There are SO many formulas out there, including many drugstore brands, so just use what you like!  A BB Cream would work also.

2.  Apply under eye concealer and spot conceal any red areas.  I use Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer for the under eye area, and Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick for the rest of my face.  I recommend applying the under eye concealer with your fingers (helps blend it better) and a synthetic brush for everywhere else (helps it stick better and wastes less product). 

3.  Apply Bare Minerals foundation (or any mineral powder foundation you like) with a big brush.  

4.  Apply bronzer (I like Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna, but anything will work as long as it is not too shimmery) in a "3" motion on both sides of your face (so it hits your hairline, cheekbone, and jawbone) and over your nose.  

5.  Apply blush to the apples of the cheeks.  I almost always use Nars Orgasm, but any peachy blush will work.  

6.  Fill in eyebrows with the product of your choice.  These days I am using MAC eyeshadow in Omega and a angled brush, then adding a little of MAC's eyebrow pencil in Fling.  Comb through with a spoolie brush.

7.  Put on some mascara.  I obviously have some recommendations on this site:)  

8.  Now this is the more precise step.  Make sure your lips are clean and moisturized (flakey lips never look good) and then line the perimeter of them with a lip liner.  You can use nude, clear, or red liner.  Because the finished look is more natural, you do not have to exaggerate your lip liner or draw a harsh line.  The liner really just acts like a barrier to the lipstick and prevents bleeding color.

9.  Apply the lipstick! I usually just use the tube and apply directly, but you can always use a lip brush (helps with precision) instead.  I used Nars Matte Lipstick in Heat Wave, but any matte red lipstick should suffice.  

10.  This last step is completely optional, but I added a shimmery highlighter to the inner corners of my eyes and to the brow bone.  I used Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Duality, which is a fat pencil with one matte highlighter and one shimmery highlighter.  A good dupe is NYX Cosmetics Eyebrow Push-up Bra.

And there you have it!  It seems like a lot of steps, but I promise it is a quick process.  If you try it out, please let me know what you think in the comments section.

Inspiration of the Week: Hot pink lips

For some reason I have been into bright pink lips lately.  It is a great alternative to a red lip, and looks chic and pretty.  A bright pink lip looks best with some black liner and lots of mascara.  If you are feeling up to it, false lashes help amp up the look.  Depending on your skin tone, the shade that looks best will vary (anywhere from a reddish pink to a purply pink).

Different shades of beautiful bright pink.  From top to bottom, all via Pinterest:  Ne-uw Tumblr, All Things Makeup Tumblr, The Glitter Guide Tumblr (Collage created in Pic Collage)

Me rocking the pink lip (Nars Satin Lip Pencil in YU) and false lashes for a holiday party.

Winter Skincare Update

With the winter weather in full effect, most people must adjust their skincare routines to the colder weather and dryness (induced by the heat).  I wanted to share my current routine, since certain products that are awesome in the warmer weather (COR Silver Soap, for example) are a tad drying now.  I have not given up the Silver Soap entirely, but I only use it a couple times a week.  Instead, I am mostly using Cetaphil's Gentle Skin Cleanser, which is a great, inexpensive product.  Rather than moisturizing once a day (in the morning), I am applying my Mario Badescu AHA and Ceramide Moisturizer twice a day.  Please note that this is a lighter weight moisturizer for oily/acne prone skin, so if you are on the dry side, you may require a thicker formula.  I even used my Clairsonic brush to exfoliate last week, and it didn't seem to make my skin freak out, so I am going to try it weekly now (instead of daily like before).  

On my lips, I love Aquaphor ointment (cheap and effective).  My hands are usually in the absolute worst condition in the winter (extremely dry, cracked, and red), and my newest find is Yu-Be Cream.  This cream is made in Japan, and supposedly contains no sulfates, petrochemicals, synthetic dyes or fragrances (awesome!).  It is formulated with glycerin and vitamins E and B2, and is very absorbent and not greasy or sticky at all.  The smell kind of reminds me of the old school Blistex Medicated formula, and it works like a charm!  

What changes have you made to your skincare routine?  Are there any new, great products you have found lately?  Please share your thoughts, suggestions, etc in the comments section:)

Inspiration of the Week: Bold Brows

If you have yet to notice, bolder brows are big (literally) this season.  Over are the days of over plucked arches, and in place you will find clean-yet-full brows.  There is something about a full set of brows that gives off a youthful, fresh vibe.  This look is fairly low maintenance; just pluck stray hairs between and underneath the eyebrows.  If your brows could use a little inflating, try filling them with a powdery brow pencil (try Hourglass's Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil or NYX Cosmetics Automatic Eyebrow Pencil), or one of the new enhancing gel-mousses (like Benefit's Gimme Brow).
Another great tool to achieve this look is a spoolie brush  (the Hourglass pencil actually has one on the opposite end of the wand).  A clean toothbrush will work in a pinch.

From the top: Cara Delevingne (aka Eyebrow Queen), Unknown model, Lily Collins, and Camilla Belle.  All photos from Pinterest.  Collage made with PicCollage.

Product Obsession: Gift List

Since I am still under the weather, I am gonna wait on the tutorials with photos.  Instead, I am going to tempt you to check out some cool products for the holidays (for yourself, or for a gift!).

I don't know about you, but I always check out Sephora's website to see what new and exciting products are available.  I don't necessary need anything, but I love makeup and I like to see what is out there.

Today I stumbled upon Tarte's LipSurgence Collector's Set, which includes 15 of the brand's awesome chubby lip pencils.  These pencils are super hydrating, come in a multitude of colors (some shimmery, some matte) and leave lips feeling and looking great.  The set seems a little pricey ($175), but for a bunch of gorgeous shades that are formulated without parabens or phthalates (i.e.: yucky chemicals), it may be worth it!

I also love Benefit Cosmetics Little Love Potions gift set, which contains 10 minis of some of the brand's most loved products, including my highlighter faves (Watt's Up and High Beam!) At $36, it is a great deal and a good way to test out the line's products without purchasing the full-size versions.

Last but not least, I would highly suggest Urban Decay's Vice 2 Palette, which I already own, but can't stop raving about.  This palette contains 20 eyeshadows, including matte, shimmery, dark, light, bright/bold, and neutral colors.  Urban Decay's shadows have amazing color payoff and there is such a variety that you could seriously try a different combo every day for a month without repeating.  The brand also released the Naked 3 palette, but I am telling you, the Vice 2 is way more versatile!  It even comes with a double-ended brush (shader on one side, blender on the other).  This set is $59, and is worth every penny!

A glimpse at the gorgeous colors from the Vice 2 Palette by UD. 

Which products are you most excited to try out for the holidays?  Are there any cool beauty-related gifts you plan to give?  Please let me know in the comments section:)

How to look healthy (when you are not)

The last few days, I have been battling a brutal cold.  My nose is red and raw, my lips chapped, my eyes watery.  I have been resting at my house, but if you find yourself in a similar situation and need to be out in public, here are a couple tips to help you look healthy when you feel like death.

1.  Make sure to moisturize- Moisturizing your face will help your skin look plump, hydrated and healthier; dry skin NEVER looks healthy.  My personal favorite is Mario Badescu AHA and Ceramide Moisturizer.

2.  Un-chap those lips (and noses)- Apply a thick layer of Aquaphor or Vaseline to your lips and nose to prevent flaking and dryness.

3.  Depuff eyes-  Apply a cooling eye gel (love Mario Badescu, Aveeno, and Oil of Olay's eye gels/creams) to the under eye area. If you have a little more time, you can always apply some cucumber slices, frozen spoons, or a cold mask for a few minutes too.  I tend to stick with the eye cream only.  Then, slick on some brightening under eye concealer to camouflage dark or puffy under eyes.  Try Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer or Yves St Laurent Touché Eclat.

4. Conceal redness-  A dead giveaway to appearing under the weather is redness around the nose. Make sure to apply a moisturizing concealer to those red spots!

5. Brighten eyes-  There is not a lot that can be done to reduce watery eyes, but you can make them appear healthier with a coat or two of mascara (waterproof to combat the wateriness!) and a little dab of highlighter on the inner corners.  Any light, slightly iridescent eyeshadow or highlighter will work.

6.  Reduce pallor-  If the color has drained from your face, swipe on a peachy blush on the apples of your cheeks to give a radiant look.  A cream blush, like Stila Convertible Color, will work even better if your skin is dry.

I am not including photos of myself in this post, as I look and feel like death:)

Give it a try and let me know if you think these tips help!  Please share your comments, suggestions, etc in the comments sections below!

Inspiration of the Week: Dramatic Cat Eyeliner

So, if you know me (or follow me on Instagram or Pinterest), you probably are already aware of the fact that I am OBSESSED with cat eyeliner.  Right now, I am into a even more dramatic cat eye with little eyeshadow and flawless skin.  I tend to go back and forth between a felt tip liquid eye liner (try Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner (prestige) or Prestige Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner (drugstore)) and a gel eyeliner (try MAC Cosmetics Fluidline or Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Gel Liner with a stiff angled or pointed brush (like Sigma's E65 Small Angle brush).  Liquid and gel formulas give a more precise, defined line, than pencil formulas.  Try resting your elbow on a table or vanity while you draw the line, which helps keep your hand steady.  Getting the perfect line and flick takes practice, but once you learn, it is pretty simple.  Something else that makes this look easier to achieve?  Pointed cotton swabs and some eye makeup remover to help clean up any mishaps and make the cat eye flick as precise as possible.

All photos from Pinterest (original sources unknown) and collage created in Pic Collage.

Oh, and don't forget to fill in those brows!

Nars Satin Lip Pencil: Palais Royal

As you may have read in my post awhile back, I am obsessing over cranberry and wine lip color for this fall and winter. Luckily, I stumbled on the perfect product to achieve this look. Nars Lip Pencils are all over amazing products- look in my purse, you will always find about 2-3 of them! They come in matte, gloss and satin finishes, and they have great shade ranges. What I love most is that the formula comes in a jumbo pencil, so there is no need to carry a lip liner.
Anyway, back to the color! Nars Palais Royal is a satin finish wine lipstick, which is exactly what I was looking for.   It is perfect for achieving the vampy, dramatic look I love.

Me sporting my new fav lipstick! Other makeup: MAC Omega eyeshadow and Fling Eyebrow Pencil (brows), Bare Minerals Foundation, Nars Creamy Concealer, Bobbi Brown Corrector Stick, Nars Orgasm blush (complexion), Urban Decay Primer, Vice 2 eyeshadow palette, 24/7 eyeliner pencil in Whisky (all by Urban Decay), Marc Jacobs Gel eyeliner pencil in black, and L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara (eyes). Whew!

A Quick Lesson on Highlighter

I received a request to write a post about highlighters.  I love the illuminating effect of a good highlighter, especially for a special event.  You can use it on the high planes of your face; in other words, cheekbones, cupid's bow, brow bone, etc.  It is recommended NOT to use it on your forehead or nose in most cases, since it may cause a shiny look that may not be flattering.  You can find highlighters to suit your skin tone, so it looks like a "natural" glow rather than a stripe of shininess.  Those with paler skin with pinkish undertones tend to look best with a silvery or light pink highlighter.  Folks with golden undertones look best with a gold or pinkish gold product.  Women with a deeper complexion can use bronze or a darker gold. You can find highlighting products in liquid, cream, and powder formulas, and you can apply them with your fingers or a brush.  My favorite highlighters are below!

1. Benefit Watt's Up

This is a cream stick formula.  The one shown is in a trial size, but the real product is bigger.

2. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Exposed

This is a powder formula with a gold undertone.

3. Nars Albatross

This is another powder formula with a iridescent gold finish.

4. Benefit High Beam

This is a liquid formula with a light pink tone.

From top to bottom: Watt's Up, High Beam, Exposed, and Albatross

Product Lust List- Fashion Designer Turned Beauty Product Creator edition

Two of my favorite designers launched beauty lines recently.  Tom Ford Beauty and Marc Jacobs Beauty are both awesome lines and offer some interesting and unique products.  You definitely pay for the designer name, but the products I  tried from both lines so far are very good quality.  If I had to choose a couple products to purchase, these are the ones at the top of my list:

1.  Tom Ford Beauty Bronzer :  Since Tom Ford Beauty products are so pricey, I have only tried a couple so far (lipstick and liquid eyeliner- AMAZING- will have to write product reviews soon!)  I have been eyeing Tom Ford's Bronzing Powder, but at $95 a pop, I can't stomach it.  I may have to try the Nail Lacquer in Ginger Fire, a vibrant reddish orange.  At $32 it is still a bit of a splurge, but based on the quality of the other products in this line, I am sure it is worth it.

2.  Marc Jacobs Beauty LoveMarc Collection:  I have yet to try Marc Jacobs lipstick, but this limited edition palette is calling my name.  The collection includes 13 of Marc Jacobs gel lipstick encased in a black jewelry box.  This sucker is $350 (YIKES) and I am sure is amazing, but again, just can't do it.  Something else by Marc Jacobs Beauty that is a little less pricey is the Showstopper 7- Piece Holiday Set .  At $89 it is still pricey, but would make an awesome gift for the holidays (or as a gift to yourself!).  This set includes perfume, mascara, eyeliner, lipgloss, eyeshadow, a mirror and a cute makeup bag.

Hopefully I don't influence you to add more products to your own wish lists.  I would love to hear what products are on your radar.  Please share in the comments section if there are any products out there you want to try but haven't yet, whether it is the price or any other reason :)

Drugstore Finds

Beauty products do not have to be pricey to work well.  I wanted to share a couple products I am using all the time these days, all of which you can pick up at your favorite drugstore.

The first is L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes mascara.  I have been a huge fan of the original Voluminous formula for years now, but wanted to try this out when I saw it.  This mascara contains little fibers that not only help to elongate lashes, but also adds volume (I personally have long lashes naturally, but I tend to purchase volumizing formulas to add some thickness).  This mascara makes it looks like you are wearing false lashes without the hassle of the application and the heavy/pokey feeling you may have experienced in the past if you have worn them.  Another pro is that it is pretty easy to remove, unlike some mascaras that leave you dousing your eyes in makeup removed and STILL you are left with dark circles and smudges.  I would recommend this if you like thicker looking lashes and want a good product for a steal (less than $10!).

The second product I picked up on a whim, as I was randomly in the mood for a plum/wine lip color. Since this is not a color I generally wear, I grabbed Neutrogena's MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Rich Raisin.  This lip product provides good color pay off (more than a tint, but still more sheer than a regular lipstick) and feels very smooth and hydrating.  The product is shaped like a big crayon (with a pre-sharpened tip) and when you need more product, you simply turn the dial on the bottom of the applicator (kind of like a Chapstick).  It also smells really good!  This product comes in a somewhat limited variety of colors, but the range includes shades that would compliment many skin tones.  Another one worth a try in my book:)

Please ignore my horrendous nail polish that needs to be removed!