My Favorite Red Lip Products!

 Hi lovelies! I recently stopped by a MAC counter to pick up their new Heavenly Hybrid lipstick and while I was there I spotted yet another red one I just had to add to my collection. I seriously have no self control when it comes to buying red lipsticks! I think it has something to do with finding that perfect shade that keeps me buying every single one in sight. With this new addition came a major swatching spree once I got home. You beauty girls know exactly what I am talking about! Even though we probably own countless similar shades to the one we just bought we justify it by making sure we don't own anything that matches 100% haha. My hand was stained for a good 2 days but I realized how many gorgeous colors I already owned and that very thought inspired this video and blog post. On top of that Ohio was getting buried in snow... I simply needed a little brightness in my life! I hope you enjoy this post! You better because I froze my butt off taking these pictures for you! ;D

MAC Lipstick in M.A.C Red

($16.00)

NYX Butter Lipstick in Mary Janes

($6.00)

Bite Beauty Matte Crème Lipstick in Pastille Rosebud

(Limited Edition… $24.00)

*Check out my entire review of this line and 2 other formulas here!

Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in Big Bang

($4.79)

Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple

($6.49)

*I forgot to mention in the video that this is the perfect product for red lips on the go! It's so sheer that I never have to worry about it smudging all over my face as I'm devouring Skyline at a Reds game. You also don't need a mirror to re-apply and that definitely is a plus for me!

Chanel Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimer in Myriade

($29.50)

and my favorite base for all for these shades…

Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment

($25.00)

I now want to share with you my favorite makeup look to wear with colors like these! I personally find it really difficult to create a look that balances out the boldness of a bright lip but doesn't compete with it. Here is my go-to look that is guaranteed to highlight your beautiful lips without over-doing it.

I started by following my normal foundation routine and made sure to frame my face by filling in my eyebrows. For the lids I created subtle definition by using Velveteen Bunny, Tufted Suede, Chinchilla, and Coffee Bean from the Too Faced Matte Eye palette- I love the way simple matte eyes look with bright lips! A little black winged liner goes a long way with this look as well as a good coat of your favorite mascara. I finished everything off by applying a natural looking blush to the apples of my cheeks and voilà! You are left with a flawless canvas to rock that red lip with major confidence!

Looking for more information on all of these products and curious as to what they look like on? Please check out my recent video where you can find all of that and much MORE!

As always I hope you are having a wonderful day and I will talk to you soon!

Love, Lacey

My Every Day Makeup Routine

Hello lovelies! First off I want to address the layout change once again... I am currently in the process of making everything perfect so please tell me what you think and leave any constructive criticism below.

In today's post I wanted to share with you the 7 beauty products I turn to when I want to look polished but not over done. It's great for every day wear and even when you are needing to run out the door! I hope you enjoy reading about my essentials and make sure to check out the giveaway at the end of this post where you can win a few of these items!

Beginning with face products…

Maybelline SuperStay 24 Hour Makeup in Sand Beige ($10.99): This is my hands down favorite drugstore foundation at the moment. This took some getting used to but once I figured it out I realized that this was a life changer! After playing around with it during the first few weeks I noticed that it does not apply well with a damp sponge or beauty blender. Whenever I did, the staying power dramatically decreased and my face looked splotchy halfway throughout the day. After I started reaching for my Sigma F84 (or F82) those flaws completely disappeared and the staying power really impressed me! This provides amazing full coverage but still feels lightweight on the skin. The best part for me though is that the color matches me perfectly! Instead of looking like makeup when I apply this it literally feels like I am just buffing out all of my skins imperfections.

Clinique Advanced Concealer in 01 Matte Light ($17.00): How many times can I mention this product? It has been (and probably always will be) my favorite concealer. That Maybelline foundation does offer amazing coverage so when I am getting ready I only apply this under my eyes and on any stubborn blemishes. I love it because it can be used anywhere on your face and provides flawless coverage. I pat it onto my under eye area with my ring finger and find that the powdery finish keeps any major creasing at bay. I could go on and on about this product but I am just going to end by saying TRY IT. Seriously, you won't be disappointed.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in 004 Sandstorm ($5.69): This is a great drugstore powder that is cheap and does an amazing job! One of my favorite YouTubers (CarahAmelie03) mentions it all the time so I finally had to try it! I like this tinted version because it adds a nice finish to my skin and application with my E.l.f Powder Brush is so simple and easy. I also make sure to apply it to my eyelid area to cancel out any redness.

MAC Blush in Rosy Outlook ($25.00): I picked this up at a CCO (Cosmetic Company Outlet) quite some time ago but have just recently fallen in love with it! Right after purchasing this I filmed a GRWM: Date Night Edition video pairing this with a dramatic smokey eye and I loved the overall outcome! However, up until recently I always thought it was too light for every day use. Typically when I wear a simple look like the one I am showing you today I like to bump up my blush color a bit to boost my complexion. On a whim I took this out of storage and after applying it with my E.l.f Small Stipple Brush I was pleasantly surprised! It's an extremely natural looking neutral rose color which means you never have to worry about overdoing it. Even though I still love reaching for bolder blushes occasionally (such as MAC Pinch O' Peach) I find this option very different and refreshing.

Victoria Jackson Taupe Brow Pencil ($14.95): I received this in a previous Ipsy bag and at first I had no idea what to think. Right off the bat I felt like the color was off for me because I was so used to filling in my brows with a darker pencil. I will admit that I still think it's too light but I have learned to work with it! After running out of my beloved Anastasia Brow Wiz I went on a mission trying to use up other brow products I have in my collection. Over time I have realized that I don't love this product but it does get the job done and looks very natural. The one downside to this is that when I start applying too much it can come across very warm and seems not to match my brows at all. Instead of really trying to define the edges I have to make sure to stick with just filling in the sparse spaces and if I do the overall outcome is nice.

Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express Mascara ($6.99): This is my favorite drugstore mascara. It's as simple as that! The reason I love this so much is because it's fast. I don't have to sit there for 10 minutes applying 3-4 coats letting them dry in-between. I can just comb through my lashes 1 or 2 times and I am left with dark, long, and full lashes that don't flake or budge. This formula isn't the easiest to remove though… but that's another reason why I love it! Even though this isn't the waterproof version it holds up through any subtle moisture I may encounter during the day. I am sure we can all think of an instance where our mascara has failed us in the moisture department- it's no fun! Don't worry though a little patience goes a long way when removing this. Just take your time!

Now on to the star of the show…

Korres Lip Butter in Plum ($12.00): Where do I even begin? How about with the fact that I think every girl on the planet should own one of these! I rave about the entire line in my "Top 13 Beauty Products of 2013" video so I will try not to bore you. This lives in my purse (along with the Wild Rose shade) and I break them out DAILY. No joke. These moisturize like no other and blow every chapstick I have ever tried out of the water. Not to mention they add the most natural tint of color to the lips that instantly brightens up your face. Even a bold lip junkie like myself is satisfied with the amount of color these give off and they are super affordable! Just please take my advice and get your hands on one if you can, I promise you will love it!

Here is the finished face!

Now on to the GIVEAWAY! As you can see I have created a handy Rafflecopter that provides all the information you need to win some of my favorite makeup items. It will be open for an entire week and it is international! Please don't hesitate to ask any questions and let the giveaway begin! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Love, Lacey

Beauty Subscription Showdown: February 2014

Hello everyone! In today's post I will be sharing with you what I received in my Birchbox and Ipsy bag this month. If you are wondering, they are each $10/month and you receive anywhere from 3-5 deluxe side beauty samples. It's such a fun little surprise to get out of your mailbox every four weeks and I always look forward to seeing what I got. Which one will come out on top this month?! Let's find out!

Birchbox:

DDF Ultra Lite Oil Free Moisturizing Dew- I got the chance to use this product last night and I was pretty impressed! A little goes a long way so I didn't need an entire pump to cover my whole face. It moisturized well but for me the texture was a little off. I am a huge fan of really thick creamy moisturizers especially when using them at night and this was the exact opposite of that. I could totally see myself using this more during the summer due to it's light-weight feel.

Agave Healing Oil Treatment- As I say in the video I already own and use this product! I typically apply this after showering to damp hair in place of my detangler. It does a great job at smoothing out my hair and defining it a bit but you do not need this if you already own similar oils. Comparing it to Moroccan Oil I hardly see any differences in the way it performs. 

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara- I didn't know what to think about this product. As much as I love the idea of using more natural beauty products mascara was pushing it for me. I love a bold mascara that gives my lashes tons of curl, volume, and length and I wasn't sure if this would make the cut. I got what I expected! This mascara came no where close to giving the popular drugstore formulas a run for their money. It was VERY light and left my lashes looking darker and slightly longer… that's it! However, I was shocked by how much I loved this on my bottom lashes. The brush is the perfect size and defines every lash without looking too heavy or clumpy. 

COOLA Tinted Matte SPF for Face- Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to try this product. From what I can tell it does go on fairly matte but doesn't provide much coverage. I do love that fact that it contains SPF 30 though!

Harvey Prince Hello- This is something I keep going back to! At first I wasn't a huge fan but it's definitely a scent that grows on you. I am going to throw this in my purse to use on the go and like I say in the video, I think it would be perfect for spring and summer!

Ipsy:

Skyn Iceland Fresh Start Mask- Whoa this stuff was weird! Never before have I used a two step face mask. You apply this by starting with the "Blue Clay" then immediately top that with the other packet containing the "Activating Gel". You massage both together into a warming foam then let it sit for 5-10 minutes! The clay went on really nicely and smelled okay but once I reached for the gel I was cracking up- It felt like I was smoothing clear slime all over my face! Somehow I managed to get enough on to begin massaging it around and at this point things were moving along nicely. It did bubble up slightly and felt warm and tingly. Once I washed it off my skin was very tight and dry so I followed up with the Benefit Moisture Prep Toning Lotion.

(Please ignore the messy hair and hoodie)!

'Tini Beauty Cream Shadow + Base- I have officially found the dud of the bunch! I wanted to quickly mention that after swatching this product on the back of my hand while filming it was almost impossible to remove! Luckily it eventually came off but I was a little afraid to put this on my eyelid. I do like the purple tone this has but the formula is a bit off. I applied this with the doe foot applicator all over the lid then blended the edges with my finger to soften them a bit. It ended up being very uneven and creased almost instantly. What a bummer! Thankfully though it was much easier to remove from my eye area.

Zoya Nail Polish in Dot- I was pleasantly surprised by the opacity of this polish- way to go Zoya! On the nails it is truly beautiful and makes my hands look so clean and polished. This is the exact shade that I needed to round out my collection and I can see this becoming that go-to shade when I can't make up my mind. 

Pop Beauty Plump Pout Mini Lipgloss in Fuchsia Freesia- Being that I am not a lip gloss person I wasn't completely turned off by this product! The pigmentation was nice, the applicator was very precise, and the shine was outstanding. The only thing I got hung up on though was the scent. It was so strange to me! In no way did I think this gloss smelled good but I can look past that when I occasionally pull this out.

J. Cat Beauty Eyelashes Style EL20- Quite honestly I don't see myself trying these anytime soon. After my experience with the last pair I was less than impressed. For my taste the band is too think and un-natural looking. When I wear these people are able to notice that I have false lashes on and that is not my goal! I would definitely recommend looking into the Salon Perfect Demi Wispies if you are in need of some new lashes.

That is all that I have for you today! Please make sure to check out my video for initial reactions, prices of samples, and the overall winner for this month!

Love, Lacey

Beauty Bits I've Been Loving...

Hello Everyone and Happy Valentine's Day! Long time no blog! I am so sorry it's taken me this long to find the right balance between making videos and blogging but I am back and here to stay! Lately I've had so many ideas and I can't wait to see what this site can blossom into with some extra time and effort.

Now on to this brand new series I will be starting! In honor of Valentine's Day I decided to start this "Beauty Bits I've Been Loving" series because I rarely post favorites videos on my YouTube channel. I don't seem to try enough products to throw together a video every month so I'm aiming on doing them seasonally over there. However, in the back of my mind I knew there were products that I was enjoying lately and I was wanting to share them with you! That's where my blog (and this new series) comes in. These posts will highlight some great products that I'm reaching for on a daily basis that may or may not make it into a seasonal favorites video. I hope that makes sense!

The products I will be sharing with you today have been my staples recently! I also just realized that all of these could be used together to create one flawless girly look that suits today's occasion. ♥

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Extra Light Bisque ($23): First up is this life saving product that I picked up at a CCO (Cosmetics Company Store) while on vacation about 6 months ago. I'm not seeing this exact shade on Sephora's website which tells me it might be discontinued but never the less the results are AMAZING! After twisting my finger in the product I apply this under my foundation in a patting motion under my eyes. It almost completely camouflages the dark blue tones of my under eye circles due to it's salmon undertone. I then just apply my foundation as normal and I look instantly more awake! 

Revlon ColorStay Whipped Crème Makeup in 150 Buff ($13.99): This is a foundation that I've had for quite a while. I remember really liking it way back when but it wasn't until recently that I began using it again. I can't believe I ever stopped! I apply this with one of my Sigma kabuki brushes and it's great for evening out my complexion while still feeling lightweight. My dry winter skin has also been loving it. It matches me really well and does a great job at concealing any redness I may have around my nose, cheeks, and chin. 

Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush in Candy Glow ($30): Okay, we ALL know that this packaging is absolutely adorable! Not only that but the overall color is great too. Even though I feel that it's slightly overpriced (okay maybe a lot…) I can't get over how beautiful it is on the skin! I apply this by taking my blush brush, swirling it around all 3 shades, and gently patting it onto the apples of my cheeks while blending up towards my temples. This boosts my complexion while still looking natural and adding a nice highlighting touch. This is a shade that you never have to worry about- it will go with every look you create!

Dior DiorShow Fusion Mono Long-Wear Professional Mirror-Shine Eyeshadow in 821 Chimère ($30): In the short amount of time I've had this eyeshadow I have talked about it so much! I've had it close to 2 weeks and am still extremely excited about it. It may not look like much in the photos you are seeing but take my word for it, this is the most beautiful shadow I've EVER seen! It's a very wearable champagne color and contains ample amounts of glitter and sparkle. Please don't let that last sentence turn you off though- this glides on so smoothly without one bit of fallout! Talk about a perfect lid color that you can just sweep on and go- this will be perfect for spring/summer as well!

MAC 'Fantasy of Flowers' Heavenly Hybrid Lipstick ($16): This beautiful lip product has only been a part of my collection for a few days now but I am falling in love so quickly! I picked this up after seeing a swatch of it over on an Instagram account I follow (@weloveswatches). She posts gorgeous photos of tons of beauty products and I always find them super helpful. After laying my eyes on this new shade from MAC's new line I had to have it. Luckily, I was able to visit a store within a few days of seeing it before they sold out! To me, this shade is right in-between MAC's Lustering and MAC's Plumful (two shades I love). Not to mention it's a luster and that's my favorite finish! If you're looking to add this to your collection I'd act fast. The link I provided for you is already on back order.

I hope you enjoyed seeing the products I've been loving recently and hope all of you have a lovely Valentine's Day! Make sure to let me know what you think of this new layout as well as some of the beauty items you've been reaching for! 

I'll leave you with my latest video if you are looking to stay engulfed in this wonderful world of beauty. This one highlights some products that I've recently used up. Can't wait to talk to you soon!

Love, Lacey