Simple clean

I know that you know you're supposed to clean the makeup off your face first and THEN wash your face (you do that, right?)... Well, that's a pain. But I do it. I've discovered, though, the product that makes this end-of-day process a dream: philosophy's purity made simple. Oh, my. I bought the big-daddy size bottle back in January with a gift card from Nordstrom and have been in love ever since! I wear quite a bit of face paint daily (by choice) so it takes a major cleanser to melt off everything I put on in the morning. This cleanser is so very gentle but so very efficient! I was shocked at how quickly just a bit of this lovely liquid did the trick. It doesn't foam up so that took some getting used to, but I assure you it is literally melting off a day's worth of makeup in about a minute as you rub it all over your face (including your eyes- it takes off water proof eye makeup!). The smell is "earthy/natural". Purity made simple is a tad on the pricier side as far as cleansers go, but I've used the same bottle nightly for 6 months and I'm still not out. Most definitely worth the cash, friends.

Hello bright eyes

Beauty sleep. Whatever. I've come to rely on a little secret I like to call well-rested by bareMinerals for perking up underneath my peepers no matter what shade of tired I'm rocking on a daily basis! Dark circles need to be corrected (think peach-toned creamy product), concealed (one shade lighter than your skin tone) and then finally brightened (here's where well-rested comes in). I absolutely don't go a day without dusting this under my eyes after shadow is applied but before any eyeliner. Go bright or go home!

Stay soft lip stain

Sometimes you're just looking for that "my lips but better" look, especially during the summer when the thought of caking much of anything on your face is a complete turn off. Well, I've found a new fabulously luscious lip combo that I am absolutely in love with for several reasons:

1. IT STAYS IN PLACE.

2. The stain feels cool and minty.

3. Neither dry out your lips! I'm serious!

My perfect combo is Makeup Forever lip pencil in Light Rosewood 14C (muted dusty rose) which retails for $17.00 at Sephora. On top of that I layer Tarte LipSurgence™ Natural Matte Lip Tint in Hope (warm rosy color) which retails for $24.00 at Sephora. I know what you're thinking- $41 for lip gunk?! Woah nelly, is it worth it. Each product will likely last 3-6 months if not longer. I challenge anyone to tell me these two aren't absolutely delicious-looking together! Now, keep in mind these colors are specific for me and my natural lip color. Take a moment for yourself, swatch several colors, and find your perfect match made in cosmetic heaven.

Get naked

Seriously, you just don't know. This bad boy from Urban Decay has been sold out online and in stores pretty much since its release. The makeup gods were more than smiling on me when I scored this beauty at the Northpark Macy's on my birthday last Saturday. Did I need? Of course not. Did I lust for? That's an understatement. Since it is a permanent item from Urban Decay, I figured worst case scenario I'd just have to wait for the hype to die down and then I'd be able to get my hands on one. Thank you to Betty Boop at Macy's (husband's name for sales associate) for going to "the back" and rounding up one for me! Favorite shades so far are Sin (champagne shimmer), Half Baked (bronze), Dark Horse (bronze-plum shimmer), and Toasted (taupe-bronze). Neutral lovers unite!

Pucker up

One of my favorite beauty gurus on YouTube recently raved about a very inexpensive lip plumper/smoother/line filler and of course I had to have it. Do I really need plumper lips? No, that and straight teeth are a few of the things the gene gods decided not to make me struggle with my whole life but I love the thought of "fluffier" lips. I also love any product with retinol in it because it promotes skin renewal and the smoothing of lines. Beyond Color Plumping Lip Conditioner SPF 15 with Double the Retinol is a beauty bargain at $3.99. It's colorless, not at all sticky or waxy, and has no taste. I've only been using it for a few days (I bought two- one in my lip drawer and one in my handbag) and I must say I'm just loving it! It's not at all "gooey" or too thick. As far as plumping, do any of those products really work? The ones that do actually sting and cause an allergic reaction on your lips, hence the swelling. So if you're a masochist maybe you have found one that brings the burn so you see results and then go back for more. I'm not quite one of those people. The Beyond Color does give me that "fluffy pout" feeling and does a phenomenal job smoothing out lines in my lips which makes any other lip product go on and look like a dream. Now I don't have an Avon representative so I just ordered directly from the website. Shipping wasn't too expensive and my package came in 3 days with nothing damaged (you know I ordered more than just this product.. shhh..). This is something I recommend trying! I almost feel guilty letting Mark be the only one that gets to smooch me.

It's a no-go

I had such high hopes for this product! My skin is mottled with pigmented scars (thank you, breakouts since the age of friggin' 10) and so consequently there's pretty much nothing within my means I won't do to lighten or dare I say get rid of them. I forked over the fifty-some-odd dollars for this product about 2 months ago and my experience has been less than magnificent. My husband tried to warn me that Clinique's advertising for this product was all wrong and so the product shall be also (the egg with spots is actually considered lucky). I'm desperate so I committed to using this serum twice a day and I don't know if it was coincidence, but I'm telling you my skin got worse! Now yes, I've heard that these types of products can "bring discoloration to the surface and then they disappear" but not only did my skin become more red, but it also broke out within a week of using this stuff. Since I've laid off of it my skin has been much more forgiving and my regular breakouts are much less noticeable. Grr! If you've had a positive experience with this please let me know! I want to like it and I want so badly for it to work for me! However, it's looking like I'm headed back to the drawing board...

Don't be scurred

Bright fun colors- how much longer can we get away with putting them in our repertoire to make our look "pop"? Did blue eyeshadow die with MiMi and the Drew Carey Show circa 1995? I say no. To an extant that is. I am, like many of you, a child of the 80's but wasn't quite old enough to rock the wild eyeshadow during that fashion-challenged decade. Well, I'm getting my vengeance now! Ok, so yes, I work in a field where I cannot wear neon colors on my eyelids to work and still be within the boundaries of the dress code. Maybe one day... But until then I have to use subtlety when I want to step a little outside the box on my face. I have discovered NYX jumbo eye sticks! Aside from being flippin' adorable, they have over twenty shades to choose from and give superb color payoff and pigmentation when applied to your skin. Did I mention that they're a mere $4.19 at your local Ulta?! Sold! So here's how to get away with a lavender, orange, green, or whatever color your heart desires hue in your look without looking like you're ready for a rave. Put on your normal every day face makeup including a more natural eye look from the top lashes up. Now sweep a color from a jumbo eye stick on the bottom lash line only. Apply one coat of black mascara to bottom lashes as desired. Blue-eyed beauties, for a show stopping look put a little hint of purple, turquoise, orange or gold below your peepers. Brown eyed dolls, you can rock any shade of blue, purple, pinky peach or especially green. Speaking of green, those green-eyed divas out there have the pick of the litter when it comes to color around your eyes. Any shade is flattering for you! Rock it! And by no means stop there, folks. Dare to wear *any* color that gives you that "Why, yes I am a goddess of gorgeous" mentality. I implore you to be willing to add just a little spice to your look when you're feeling extra sassy, especially with how easy and inexpensive it can be to do! DO NOT FEAR COLOR, ladies and gents. Embrace it.