Happy Wednesday (and last day of April, and 10-year anniversary of Mean Girls)!

     Today I have a quick post on what basic eyeliner combinations I use on a pretty consistent basis. I tend to wear pencil eyeliner on more natural days. If I'm feeling fancy, I'll put on liquid eyeliner. I tend to stay away from gel eyeliner mostly because I've never used it and I don't use twist-up eyeliners very often because I don't like the application as much as pencils.

As mentioned in my last post, I'll be mentioning/ briefly reviewing a product I bought last Saturday. I was completely torn between the Rouge Dior Couture Color Lipstick in Mauve Mystère and the YSL Glossy Stain in Pourpre Preview. Alas, the YSL won out due to my adventurous mood (yea, gloss is adventurous, okaaii?). The color was really unique and I had heard great things about this glossy stain. My problem with gloss is that I don't like how it feels, however, once this gloss "dries" it doesn't feel like anything is on your lips. I wore this color to work the other day and it lasted all day without the drying feel of a lipstick. (I'm still getting the Dior one though). All in all, I really like this product because it is long lasting and is vibrantly pigmented. I really want Peachy Coral from this line (so feel free to buy it for me). 

The next product is the Real Techniques Silicone Eyeliner Brush. I debated this purchase for a bit just because eyeliner has become a foreign thing to me. With my shaky logic, I figured that this brush would be just  the thing to get me back on my eyeliner game. This brush is easy to use and does an extremely nice job guiding the perfect flick for a cat eye. Either that or I must have woke up with surgeon-steady hands, but I bet on the brush. That being said, I'm not sure if it's the eyeliner I am using or what, but I feel like I had to coat this on. It definitely needs to be a gel or paint pot or something of the sort. When I used a cream eyeliner it didn't go on as dark as I wanted and I ended up reaching for my Stila liquid liner to finish the job.

I'm extremely confused by this next product. The Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eyeliner in Navy has really amazing reviews on Ulta, but I'm not a massive fan. This was a pretty impulsive buy and I didn't read the reviews before picking it up or hearing much about it. The reviews all claim it has a bold color but I'm not seeing it. I tried applying it with two different brushes and layering it on, but it definitely was not navy, but more cerulean. Needless to say, I was kind of disappointed to see it wasn't as bold as the reviews exclaimed, but I'll keep trying and let you know. 

This last product is one I have been wanting to try for awhile. The NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream has been talked about a lot on YouTube and for some reason I just never got around to buying it. I have seen a couple reviews and swatches of Istanbul and finally nabbed it the other day. This definitely lives up to its name. It has the matte factor of a lipstick while feeling like a lip balm. It is pretty pigmented for the price and is somewhat long lasting. Even though it doesn't last as long as a lipstick does, it is way easier to quickly apply than lipstick. I absolutely will be picking up other colors from this range. 

What makeup or skincare have you guys picked up?
xx Tori

From looking at upcoming posts, it looks like a couple of us had a crazy week and still another one to come. I, for sure, am not an exception. It never fails that when I am crazo-nutzo (as my coworker would explain things) I rely on muscle memory to do my makeup. Even though my makeup organization is in the process of being revamped, I somehow always find myself with these products in hand. I know it's only Tuesday, but I haven't changed my routine for at least a week.

When things are crazy, I tend to make sure that my base is on point. I could not care less about anything else but a good base is the key to making sure you don't look like a zombie. Let's face it, that's important. As i'm typing this I've realized that I didn't photograph a couple of products (why didn't I make a list...) so I'll just go ahead and include those anywho. After moisturizing, I have been applying the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. Even though I have dry skin, I love this primer because I feel like it just adds a bit more moisture and does actually set my base unlike some products I've used (i'm lookin' at you, POREfessional). Then for foundation. This is probably my favorite part of doing my makeup since I got the Real Technique brushes. I've been using the YSL Le Teint Touche Eclait, but since I got the sample of the Lancôme Teint Idole foundation I have a new found love. I thought I would never find anything to top the YSL, but oh man. I'm buying the full size product whenever I have a spare moment. It keeps my face looking fresh and even all day. I had this foundation on for 15 hours and just washed it off and it looked as good as it did when I first applied it.  After this, I use the Revlon Photo Concealer under my eyes.

I then use the ELF High Definition Powder to set my foundation. MAC's Harmony is then used as a contour and I've really been loving Rimmel's blush in Pink Sorbet. It's just a beautiful peach color that looks nice with my skin tone and balances out whatever I wear with it. Another important step for completing my base is the Benefit Watts Up highlighter; it seriously works miracles. I'm not going to even explain my love for Gimme Brow by Benefit one more time, but it's used after blush. When I'm in a rush, I will typically only use one eyeshadow after I've used the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. The two picks lately have been Club and Woodwinked from MAC. They both really suit my eye color and woodwinked is just a really nice natural color with a bit of shimmer to wake up my eyes. Plus they both have wonderful color pay off and stay on all day. I always feel a bit awkward just using one shadow and so I will blend a bit of the contour shade in the crease line. After I've applied my eyeshadow I'll just go ahead and blend some of the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk to highlight my brow. No, this does not look ridiculous because I'm the shade of Casper. As always, I curl my lashes and apply my most loved Revlon mascara. All in all, my makeup takes me less than 10 minutes in the morning. And when I have to walk the pups at 4:30 in the morning before work, I've already expended all effort for the day.

What products do you guys grab in a hurry?

xx Tori

Hello all! Happy Halloween! Today is hands down my favorite holiday in existence. I was a little short on time this week because I am starting a job at a salon/spa and they have me training like crazy! I did however have time to show a quick "cat look" for any feline costumes on this fine day/weekend!

It's a short video but I hope it helps and gives any ideas!






Kayson xo
FBG

So this isn't a monthly favorite by any means (I am fully aware it is literally the middle of October), but I figured I would share which products I have been using the most recently! Click play on the video below, yo.



xx
Jen

Hello fellow broke peoples! Sorry I've been so MIA recently, moving in to my new apartment while simultaneously working all day has been one of the most stressful things to ever occur in my life. I have finally managed to organize myself to a level that I can be comfortable taking some time to work on the blog. I promise once things are back to normal I will be back to posting on my regular Monday.

On to the purpose of this post: transitioning your makeup from summer to fall. This can be a weird time because it's starting to cool off (or not, depending where you live) so really bright, neon colors are not necessarily as in season but neither are the dark, moody colors associated with fall. So what do you wear? That's where I come in.


1. Buxom Full-Bodied Lip Gloss in Dolly ($19) & Revlon Just Bitten in Honey ($8)
     I loveee these two together. The Revlon balm stain is a truly beautiful color that gives you that "my lips but better" look that everyone loves. I think that shade could look good on almost anyone! It's also not as light and pink as many other natural shades are but is more of a mauve color that really helps with these weird in between months. The lip gloss on top just adds a little more shine and dimension that makes it pop if you're out and about. It also helps with how the Revlon balm stain can be a tad drying.

2. Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle ($8)
    Another amazing "my lips but better" color, this is a little darker than the one I discussed above. I wear this color year-round but during the cooler months it really helps to wake up my face and bring some color to my usually darker outfits. It swipes on beautifully and leaves a rosy mauve tint that is hard to find elsewhere.

3. Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Illume ($19)
    I got a mini of this when I ordered a sampler of Smashbox products. I like them in general but they didn't wow me in the way I expected. This one was my favorite product because it gives just a little sheen and glitter to take a natural face to the next level if you aren't feeling lip color. Especially when it starts to get really chilly outside, I love swiping this on with a casual plaid shirt and leggings.

4. Revlon Lip Butter in Red Velvet ($8)
    This shade is the easiest one to transition! During the summer, I like to use this as a sheer wash of color when I'm looking for something with a bit of a pop. When it starts cooling off, I layer it on for a more opaque red that is great for yellow undertones.

That's my post until Monday! Catch ya on the flip side!

xx
Jen

Allo, chaps. Today I decided to review some products for you - specifically, mascara. I'm personally  not a huge mascara junkie (*ahem* Rachel and Tessa) so it's easy for me to take the ones I have and go over them for you readers!


Smashbox Hyperlash ($22)
This is my faveee mascara. I only have the mini version from a Smashbox sampler I purchased a while ago but it has definitely made an impression. The brush is plastic but I don't mind that. It makes your lashes crazy, CRAZY long but without clumping. I recommend this if you're thinking of buying a high-end mascara for the first time.


Benefit They're Real! ($23)
I bought this mascara on a whim a few months ago, which is never a good way to buy makeup. I had heard good reviews about it and was desperately in need of a new mascara so I figured, ehhh what the hell? Well, I'm not that impressed. It's not clumpy but it doesn't do that great of a job of lengthening or thickening my lashes. I believe there are better products out there (such as Smashbox Hyperlash!)


Clinique High Impact ($16)
Another just alright mascara here. The brush is incredibly thick and sometimes clumps my lashes, which I don't like. If I'm in a rush I'll toss it in my bag to touch-up, but other than that I don't use it much.


Maybelline Great Lash in Clear ($5.49)
I always buy this at the beginning of the summer and then toss it once October hits. This stuff is AMAZING for the summer because it makes your lashes really long and sexy without looking overdone. During the summer if I'm hanging out with friends or going to the pool I don't want a ton of mascara on, so I reach for this and it gives just enough to look awake.


Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies ($6.99)
You guys have heard me talk about this stuff enough. All I'm gonna say is that it's my favorite drugstore mascara. SUCH good quality for the drugstore.


Rimmel London Scandal Eyes - Waterproof ($6.99)
I bought this when I went absolutely insane at Target last Sunday. That Target trip was devastating for my bank account... but anyway. I purchased it because I needed a waterproof mascara for when I go to the pool with boys and want to look normal. It does the job but I'm by no means super impressed. I have found it really awesome to use before using The Falsies to make my eyes insanely pop, though!


So that's all for me today! Until next week.

xx
Jen

Okay, so, I am throwing in the flag as far as filming goes for another week. However, my brother is working on my camera so hopefully this situation can be remedied in a soonish fashion.