What's HauteLook?

For those of you who are big on makeup collecting like me, here's a site I wholeheartedly recommend that you check out: http://www.hautelook.com/events#beauty

HauteLook partners with different makeup and fashion brands to come up with upscale sales that mark high end products down by 50-75% every single day! I've personally ordered products from the site that have been reduced by more than $40 from the original retail price, and I think all of you guys should at least take a look. It's free to register an account at the site; all you need to do is provide your e-mail with a password, and you're in. Since I've joined, they've had sales on Stila cosmetics, NYX, Harajuku Lovers, Philosophy and tons more! Right now there's a sale going on with NYX cosmetics (one of my favorite brands); there's a new sale every few days so order now before it's gone! Hope this is helpful. xxx.

Get Inspired

Truth is, everyone likes to feel inspired. Find out what does it for you, and the possibilities are endless. 

My friend is an awesome photographer. She doesn't think she's all that. Clearly, she is. 

What inspires you...?

My Make-out Approved Lip Products (And Ones You Should Avoid) REQUEST

Sorry this request is getting posted a week after I said I would! I've been busy getting my school summer assignments in (they were due yesterday), and now I finally have time to spend my time on a review!

Thanks to Lo for the request! :)

My Favorites: 

1) LIP SMACKERS Coca-Cola. This product may not be super high end, but believe me, it's the best kissing lip product that I own. You can get it in almost any CVS, Walgreens, or Wal-Mart and it's only about $3.00. Unlike a lip gloss, this chapstick glides on really smoothly, but has a lipgloss like sheen which I love. Another plus? It tastes sweet so your guy can't complain of any unsavory tastes. It smells like Coca-Cola, and comes in a cute tube that has the same logo as the soda can. This chapstick will fade after any long make-out session, but it's a safe go-to balm that won't leave any color or sticky residue on your guy. if you're planning on going out with your significant other anytime soon, go out and get this product. Seriously, now. 

2) Another safe go-to kissing balm is the original ChapStick. It's like the lip smackers Coca-Cola, without the sweet taste; so if that taste bothers you, here's another great alternative that won't leave any sticky residue or color. However, it doesn't give the same lipgloss-esque sheen as the Coca-Cola chapstick. 

3) If you DO want a pop of color that won't leave a sticky residue on your guy, I recommend Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer. The reason I think that this product is so great is because while it's fairly sheer, it also gives a pretty pop of color (very subtle). I use the shades Caramel and Watermelon, and would either recommend these shade, or any shade lighter. Most of the Lip Shimmers have a little bit of sheen, not glitter, that looks really nice on the lips. It has a nice minty smell, but no discernible flavor, and stays on forever. The only thing to watch out for is that it can get crusty and gather at the corners of your mouth after a long time, so I would avoid a heavy application in those areas altogether. All in all, you should use this product if you want the smooth effect of chapstick with a subtle pop of color (it's sheer enough that it won't show up on your guy). 

Take It or Leave it: 

1) Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss

The reason I say, take or leave it, with this gloss is because different shades have different consistencies. For example, my personal favorite, Cocoalicious, is a beautiful shade of bronze that I love but it's too stick to wear for a make-out session, believe me. However, another shade I like, Mocktail Hour, doesn't leave a sticky residue, has a sweet smell, and a fruity taste. That being said, go ahead, indulge. Just make sure to choose wisely and avoid glosses who have a thick, or sticky formula. 

Absolute No Go's: 

1) NYX soft matte lip cream comes in beautiful shades of color, but should be absolutely avoided when getting ready for a date, or any situation where there might be lip on lip contact. I like to use this product because it stay's on forever and has a pleasant, sugary smell..but it's not that heavy duty ladies. It will come off when you're kissing, no doubt about it, and it's pigmented enough to leave your guy looking like a clown. Plus,  not a great taste at all.

2) Carmex Moisturizing Lip Balm...a glorified, and stickier, version of the original ChapStick. It is very moisturizing, and I love to use it before I go skiing or snowboarding..and that only. It has a vaseline smell and a horrible taste. One of my friend's ex-boyfriends told her that he didn't like kissing her when she wore carmex "because it smelled weird, and tasted bad". I don't know about you, but that's proof enough for me. 

Hope this review was helpful! xxx

Review In the Making!

Hey girls! I'm currently working on a requested lip gloss review, which should be up by tomorrow. Sorry it's taken a couple of days (I'm staying at my grandmother's and there's no wifi)! Loves xxx

Mascara Reviews (Requested!)

I'm a mascara junkie. On those days when I wake up late (whether I hit the snooze button on my alarm clock a few times too many, or it didn't go off altogether) and have five minutes to spare before I have to jet out the door for school, the only makeup products that I just have to use are mascara and a cheek stain. For some reason, mascara makes me feel put together; without it, I feel so naked! I'm also one of those girls who's never really been into sporting false eyelashes, but like people to think I do. Therefore, I've hunted down countless brands, wands, and formulas that might render the desired effect. Here are some hits and misses that might help you in your own search to find that 'perfect' mascara:

Thank you to Kelly for the request! :))


I'm going to start out with my personal favorite, Covergirl's Lash Blast Volume Waterproof mascara. I got it for $8.99 at Walgreens, but maybe you might find it at a cheaper price somewhere else. Needless to say, it's in the less expensive range when it comes to mascara, and in my opinion, works just as well if not better than some of the higher end brands. I blogged about this particular mascara in my Summer Must Haves post a couple of days ago, and I'm going to say the same thing here. I love love love the mascara wand. Unlike many other mascara wands, this one is made of of tiny gel bristles which ensures all of your lashes get an even coat. The formula allows for buildable volume, but almost never clumps. However, the formula is quite wet, so it might not be ideal for those of you with thin lashes, as it may cause them to appear droopy. It is ideal for those hot summer days when all you want to do is jump in the pool! I can promise you that the waterproof formula won't budge..which is one of its only downsides (it can be tricky to take off..I recommend using makeup removal wipes). All in all, a great mascara.

Another mascara that I've tried from Covergirl that I haven't been as pleased with is the Covergirl Professional All In One mascara. The mascara wand itself is straight, and pretty thin, and the bristles remind me of one of those rotating brushes I might see in an automated car wash. The formula is fairly dry (at least in my opinion), and when I apply it, I barely even notice a difference. However, I admit that the problem could be due to the fact that my lashes are thick and black; the product might have more of an effect on thinner lashes. Nevertheless, this 'all in one' mascara isn't really anything special at all.

One high end mascara that might be worth investing in is Lancome's Hypnose Drama mascara in black. Although it tends to be pretty pricey at around $20 in select beauty stores, it certainly does its job. The formula is ideal for those days that you want a feathered look that will really make your lashes pop. It has a very unique wand; the wand isn't curved itself, but the bristles wind around the straight part of the applicator so that no lashes are coated too much, or too little. The formula is also very buildable, but doesn't tend to clump, which is always a huge plus for me. Because it tends to be more expensive, I use it more sparingly than my Lash Blast Volume mascara, since that works just as well as this high end brand. One of the great things about this mascara is that the formula is ideal for both thick and think eyelashes. Great job Lancome!

While I was visiting France, I ran out of my beloved Covergirl Lash blast Volume mascara, and became absolutely frantic to find a replacement. Although I couldn't find my favorite mascara in any of the french beauty and drugstores, I did happen to come across Maybelline's Falsies mascara, which I had heard about from my friends back in the U.S. I didn't think that I would like it much at first; the wand was a huge curve, and mascara tended to clump at the end of the wand. However, after using it for about a week, I fell in love. Not only did it build volume, but it made my eyelashes look fluttery and natural. Nonetheless, there were a few downsides. Although the mascara worked great on my thick eyelashes, it might not be as wearable for someone with thinner, lighter ones. Also, the formula was very wet, and clumps that were formed on the wand tended to transfer to my eyelashes. This can be easily remedied with a clean mascara wand or brush..just run it through your lashes after a two-coat application. So what do I think about this mascara? Not bad at all.

Moving on to another mascara which I know is many people's favorites is Maybellines Great Lash mascara. The formula is very thick, shows up very well on almost anyone's lashes, and creates a lot of volume, even on thin lashes like those of one of my best friends. However, I've noticed that the formula tends to clump, and can give my eyelashes that not-so-coveted spider leg effect. Instead of using it on my top lashes, I now prefer to apply two coats of this mascara to my bottom lashes for a dramatic look. Also, the small wand and applicator is actually one of my favorites. Because it's small, it's able to coat all of my eyelashes, even the tiny ones near the corners of my eyes (without getting black mascara all over my face, woot!). This mascara is extremely inexpenisve at around $4.99 at most drugstores, and more a very cheap mascara, it does its job.

One of the mascaras that I wanted to try because I thought the idea was cool, was Covergirl's Exact Eyelights. The mascara claims to have a special formula for every individual, that will bring out their eye color. I bought the version for brown eyes, and didn't see much of a difference at all. If I had liked the wand, I might have kept using it because I liked the formula, but really? Don't waste your money on this product when you can't really notice a difference.

I hope this was helpful for you guys! <3

Want me to do a summer makeup/fragrance review/haul?

Leave me a comment of your favorite summer beauty product or fragrance or ones that you'd like me to try and review and I'd be happy to oblige.

<3

5 Summer Must Haves (Product Reviews)

1) A Cheek Stain
I swear by this product. Any other time of the year, I would opt for a cream or powder blush, like Nyx Boho Chic Cream Blush or Pur Mineral's Blush, but during the hot summer months I am absolutely dependent on my Tarte Natural Cheek Stain. It comes in a variety of shades, from a deep plum to a pretty coral, and has a nice lemon scent. My personal favorite shade is True Love, a sheer rhubarb-esque red. The nice thing about this cheek stain is that altough it applies smoothly and is easily blendable when first applied (blend it in with your fingers until you reach a desired effect), it won't budge once it has dried. That means, yes, go swimming all you want without the fear of coming up with a clown face.

Although it's pretty pricey at $30, this stain is certainly worth the cash.

2) A Waterproof Mascara
There are tons of high end waterproof mascaras out there, but I always go back to my beloved Lash Blast Volume Mascara by Covergirl. The small gel bristles on the mascara wand separate all of my lashes while building amazing volume. I promise you that if you go swimming, this stuff will still be on your lashes by the time you're through (just don't rub your eyes, okay?). I recommend curling your lashes and applying two coats on the top lashes. On the bottom, apply one coat.

3) The Urban Decay Naked Palette
This coveted palette by Urban Decay contains 12 beautiful neutrals that are perfect for the summer. During the day, you can wear a natural, neutral eye, and then spice up your makeup look for the night with bold greys and charcoals. The velvety case, great eyeshadow brush, and included travel size primer potion are just more pluses to this must have palette. My personal favorite shades include Virgin (a pretty ivory shade that's a great browbone highlight), Sin (a pink with a nice sheen but no glitter), Buck (a dark brown matte shade), and Smog, a dark brown shade with a little bit of shimmer.

What I love most about this palette is its versatility. It hads a wide variety of shades which range from shimmery to matte, and therefore make day-to-night transitions a snap. I like to use the darker shades under my lower lash lines in place of a liner, and like to use Creep (a black shade) to darken up the crease for many of my eye looks.

The palette is pretty expensive at around $48, but I would say it's worth the splurge (and I don't splurge very often). You can find it at many ULTA beauty stores, Sephora stores, and the Urban Decay website: http://www.urbandecay.com/best-sellers/best-sellers,default,sc.html

4)A Heavy Duty, No Budge Eyeliner
A smudge/waterproof eyeliner in the summer is a do, do, do! No matter where you live, and I can testify to this because I live in Vermont (aka most barren state in the USA), you'll be sure to be hitting up the pool, the beahc, or your gal pal's patio to soak up some summer sun..and let me tell you, there's nothing more wicked witch of the west-esque than melting eyeliner. Especially black, and I know many girls out there love their black eyeliner. That being said, it's always good to invest in an eyeliner that won't melt off in the summer heat. I know everyone's budget is different, so here ae two great eyeliners that I've personally tried that won't give you those not-so-coveted racoon eyes.

This Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Eyeliner is a great (but cheap!)liner that will tay put on your lids all day long. It comes in a few different shades (mine is blackest black), and comes with a a small eyeliner brush. Apply it over a primer like Urban Decay's primer Potion for a truly smudge proof look.

Want another great summer eyeliner? Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil is a waterproof, smudge proof liner that won't fade through out the hot summer days. It's ideal for tightlining the eyes, and will even stay on the water line. However, I recommend purchasing some makeup removal pads before trying to remove it, or you'll end up looking like a racoon for at least the two days.

5)A Bronze Lip Gloss

This Beauty Rush lip gloss by Victoria's Secret is the perfect bronze shade for summer. Its packaging isn't anything special; it comes in a small, plastic tube with a twist on cap. In the tube, it appears as a light cocoa color, but when applied ot the lips, takes on a pretty bronze hue that looks fantastic when paired with a nude lipstick! This particular shade, Cocoalicious, contains tiny gold flecks which bring a nice sheen to the lips (there aren't any glitter particles, so all of you sparkle haters won't have a problem). Normally, I'm not really a huge fan of lipglosses, but this one os definitely worth the buy. It has a nice, choclately smell and aplies smoothly to the lips. Originally, the gloss cost $7 at Victoria's Secret, but I happened to catch a break and got it on sale for only $1.75. The only downside of this gloss? It looks great, but it does leave that sticky residue which tends to bother a lot of people. I wouldn't wear it on a date ("it's all fun and sexy..until someone coughs up a hairball"...a quote for all those Pretty Little Liars fans!), but if you're going out to the movies or a partyfor the evening, this gloss is definitely a do.

What Will I Be Blogging About?

One can ascertain from the title of this blog that it's going to revolve around makeup somehow. I don't claim to be a makeup artist, a professional in any way; all I can really say about myself is that I'm a makeup lover. I'm one of those girls who can't wait to wake up and doll myself up for school, a breakfast outing, whatever the morning may throw at me. I really do get dressed up for every occasion. In fact, the other day I was vegging out, watching an action movie with a few friends, when my guy best friend pointed out, "You get dressed up for everything!" I'm the girl who's doing her friends makeup for every party and social outing, the one who's rushing to put on her own at the last minute while the others are rushing her out the door. Maybe it would come off as superficial to some people (I mean, who puts makeup on to go study with her friends at 5:00 in the afternoon afterall?) but that's who I am. I know that makeup isn't my personality, but if I can get up in the morning feeling excited every day, than qho's to stop me?

Heads up, I'm not going to start this off with any tutorials or anything. Not yet, at least. I'm going to begin by reviewing makeup products, starting off with those in my own collection. I'm pretty new at this, but I'm not so new at makeup. If you want me to review any products, leave me a comment or message and I'll make it a priority. This is what I love to do after all, and if I can help somebody else in the process, than it's just a plus :)