If there's two make up products I can't live without, it's lipstick and mascara. I'm the ultimate mascara junkie and have an ever-growing lip collection though I don't know that I'll ever top Jen in that department. If I'm ever in a rut in my make up routine - which is fairly often - I always turn to my lip products to spice things up a bit. Not to mention they're a great just-out-of-winter-pick-me-up that we've all been needing. Here's a few of my tried and trues and some more recent additions.

MAC Vegas Volt
This is an oldie but a goodie in my collection. I've had it for about a year now and I love the way it will brighten up a make up look. It's a good orange for those who are just venturing into the world of bold lipsticks. Much like is expected from MAC, it's a great formula and wears really well.

Milani Rose Hip
One of the newest additions I've added to my collection, I'm obsessed. I've seen that it's a dupe for MAC's Candy Yum Yum (I haven't swatched them side by side for myself but I shall let you know if I ever do). It's definitely a matte formula, so you'll want something moisturizing underneath. I love pairing this up if I'm wearing an eye look from my Naked 3 palette, as the light pink undertones of the shadow compliment the brightness of Rose Hip perfectly.

Milani Nude Créme
I'm not sure that I've ranted about this enough to y'all, but here we go again. This has become my holy grail nude, even over Soap & Glory's Nudist. The formula is really moisturizing and lasts well. Even when it wears off, it's not a color that you need to reapply as it wears wonderfully. It's new home is in whatever bag I have with me at that moment in time. I'm not sure I can go without this ever again.

Maybelline Pink Pop
When Maybelline launched their Color Sensations Vivid line I went a little cray for it. It's possible I'm still obsessed and eyeing up a few more colors (read: I will own the whole collection at some point). This is a really pigmented baby pink and I love it. This was one of my go-to's last summer, especially if I was keeping the rest of my make up really simple. The best thing about it is that it's a baby pink that won't wash out pale skin tones, which is sometimes hard to accomplish.

Maybelline Coral Ambition
I blame Rachel 1000% for me buying this. Unlike the rest of the products I've talked about, this product is more balm-like and has less pigmentation. I still really love it though. It's another product that lives in whatever bag I'm carrying because it's a good sheer wash of color for days that I'm feeling really lazy.

SWATCHES

Maybelline Coral Ambition, MAC Vegas Volt, Maybelline Pink Pop, Milani Rose Hip, Milani Nude Creme

What are your top 5 lip products?

xx
Tessa

     After a little peruse of my makeup ranks, I found there was a host of products I loved - but didn't use much. Not quite logical. In an attempt to rekindle my affection I'm giving some tlc to a few things I've been missing.

Bare Minerals Power Neutrals
     During a pre-holiday spree, I added this lovely neutrals palette to my cart. I'd heard great rumors about the quality of Bare Minerals eyeshadows and I was not let down. The colors are a great selection, and a little off-beat from your typical "naked" palette. I've dabbled in using these shades, and a standout is Moneymaker - a nice earthy green which is a good alternative to a typical brown.

Forever 21 Cream Cheek Blush
     This one may be tricky to locate, but I did see they repackaged their cream blushes recently and there is a shade nearly identical to the one I own. The formula is less sheeny than other cream blushes I own but still doesn't full transform to a powder finish. As a result, the effect is glowy yet long lasting.This color instantly lifts the face and pairs well with an orange-toned red lip. Definitely one I should be turning to more often.

Rimmel ScandalEyes Kohl Kajal in Taupe
     For days when I'm looking for subltle definition, this is ideal. The color manages to enhance the eyes without looking obvious. The formula is comparable to something like Urban Decay's Glide On pencils, and is almost gel-like.

Maybelline Vivid Lipstick in Hot Plum
     To be fair Hot Plum is nowhere in the realm of an 'everyday' shade. It's well pigmented, and a flashy color. Yet I still love it on the lips. Come spring & summer, effortless makeup is epitomized by bright lips and a minimal face. This cool-toned shade works well with my complexion, and would stand out against a warmer skin tone. Bonus: the formula is creamy and non-drying.

MAC Lipstick in Hue
    On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have a muted warm pink. Hue tones down my lip color ever so slightly. The glaze finish helps it to be wearable and simple to touch up on the go as well. Personally, I pair it with a slightly heavier eye to keep things in balance.

¡Adiós!

xx
Rachel

I shared a photo on Instagram of my make up yesterday (side note: our Instagram is @the_brokegirls, if you aren't already following us) and I am absolutely obsessed with how awesome my make up looked. I had picked up a couple new items so of course I had to try them out.

FACE
My skin has been having a bit of a never-ending freak out lately, so I used my trusty Covergirl Whipped foundation as a base. It has a medium coverage but doesn't ever feel piled on. My favorite way to apply it is with my Real Techniques Sponge as it applies a thin layer but doesn't cake up if you build it up to a fuller coverage. I also used my Covergirl under eye concealer which I talked about in this week's Tuesday Talk, so I won't go any further there. For blush, I used a bit of The Balm's Instain in Swiss Dot applied with my Real Techniques Blush Brush.

EYES
I bought MAC's Woodwinked at the beginning of the week and have been dying to use it ever since so I finally did. I combined it with Urban Decay's Nooner from the Naked 3 Palette as my crease color. Of course my winged liner is courtesy of Rimmel U's Get In Line Liquid Liner in black. Finishing up, I used Maybelline's The Falsies in Black Drama.

BROWS
Tried and trues only here: I filled in with Urban Decay's Faint (from Naked Basics) using a combination of Real Techniques and Eco Tools angled brushes. Finished off with Maybelline's Great Lash in Clear as a brow gel.

LIPS
Another new product here. Rachel and I hit up CVS on Tuesday night and ended up hitting the jack pot on BOGO 50% sales. I picked up two Milani lipsticks and fell in love with both. First off, they smell like Now & Laters. Second, the color range is ridiculously perfect. So I went for the nude shade that I picked up - Nude Creme. It's pretty much the perfect nude as it's not too pink or too brown. It finished off my look perfectly and really tied it all together. The wear on these lipsticks is pretty good so I'll probably be picking up some more soon.

What have you been loving lately?

xx
Tessa

TORI
MAC Studio Finish Concealer (NC15)
     I know I've mentioned my struggle of finding a good concealer before and I still haven't found my holy grail product. The Studio Finish Concealer is the closet I've come though. I typically use the Revlon Photo Ready concealer for redness, but Studio Finish is great for under the eyes. I'm convinced that nothing will ever completely cover my dark circles, but this does a fine job. It has SPF 35 which makes me feel pretty good about this product. Using a moisturizing under eye cream is necessary when using this product to ensure it doesn't look cakey. I really like applying this with the tip of my Real Techniques Sponge.

JENNY
Sonia Kashuk All Covered Up (01 Porcelain)
     Soooo I apparently completed spaced that the Tuesday Talk this week was on concealer since I did my post on concealers last week (oops). However, this time I uploaded a picture so y'all could get a better understanding of the consistency f this product. It's a little wetter than MAC Studio Finish but I feel that they could be comparable. This product blends well and matches my skintone almost perfectly but I believe there are only four different colors. I usually just use my finger (I know, poor form, but I'm a girl on the go). It also has pretty nice packaging for the drugstore, albeit a little bulky for the amount of product inside. However, this has been my favorite concealer recently but like Tori, I still haven't found my holy grail.

TESSA
Covergirl Fresh Completion Under Eye Concealer in Classic Ivory
Well, what a surprise we have here. I think I've used this concealer in every video I've posted (which if you aren't subscribed to our YouTube channel go do so now.. New videos every Saturday!). Much like Tori, I don't think I'll ever find a product to actually help my under eye area, but this comes pretty darn close. It has a really creamy consistency and it actually just a tad too light for my skin (a real feat to accomplish) so it has a highlighting effect that makes it look like maybe I did sleep for 8 hours last night. Of course I have yet to find a concealer that I love enough to repurchase, I think I'll forever be on the hunt. Suggestions welcome.

RACHEL
Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Fair
     I'm not sure that I've ever actually mentioned this product, but it has been a game changer for me. The price tag is a little steep unfortunately. However, if you are ghostly it can be quite the challenge to find a concealer that is actually fair enough. This is the right shade and undertone for my skin, and works well for dryness. If you tend to be oiler, it may slide around a bit on you. If you find that concealer tends to look cakey and dry, give this a go. I find it can work on both blemishes and the under eye area. It is densely pigmented, so you only need a minute amount. Paired with a tapered eyeliner brush this is perfect for some Lisa Eldridge pinpoint concealing.

It seems that spring is finally upon us here in Kansas. And now I'm going to hope and pray that I didn't just jinx it. I've been in a bit of a rut lately as far as fashion and make up goes lately, so here's some spring time inspiration that will hopefully help you if you're looking for something new, as well as help my out of my routine.

I've already decided my color palette for spring will have actual color. A huge shock to anyone who knows me, try not to fall over. Gray is going to be my main neutral this season, because there's always a shade that goes with everything. Continuing on the theme of my last few videos, purple is of course going to be included. Inspired by an eyeshadow that I lived in for most of last summer, teal will also be joining the party. And last but not least, coral. Three colors is like overload for me, but I don't even care. I may even add in a splash of emerald, considering I've been obsessing over it for the last year and a half. So without further ado, here's some fashion and make up inspiration for you, featuring my spring color palette.

We all know what big fans we are of neutral colors here at FBG, so I figured I'd share some of my favorite nudes with you - from eyeshadows to nail polish. Plus, I'm pretty sure there's not a better palette to transition from winter to spring (which we're still desperately waiting for here).

From top to bottom: WOS, Naked 2, Nudist, Nude, Subtly Sunkissed

EYES
So it's no secret that my go-to eyeshadow favs are all brown, neutral tones. My favorite nudes are some of my holy grail all time favorites. I mentioned Urban Decay's Naked 2 in a post a couple weeks back, so I won't linger any longer there. My other favorite from the same palette is Walk of Shame (W.O.S.). It's a pale, skin tone matte shade. It's great for brightening up the eye area and especially good on no make up make up days. Lastly, my Rimmel London Scandal Eyes in Nude is a product that I probably couldn't go a day without using. It's the best eyeliner I've ever found. I love to use it in my waterline and it tends to do the trick to looking like I got that full 8 hours of sleep the night before.

LIPS
Now I've only got one tried and true to talk about here - Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker in Nudist. I heard about this from the lovely Fleur de Force, and after raving about it for quite sometime, Rachel got it for me for Christmas. This has a permanent home in my make up bag that I take with me every day. No matter what make up you're wearing this is the perfect lip product to tie it all together. The lasting power isn't as long as I'd like, but I have no complaints other than that.

FACE
I'll keep it short and sweet here considering how much I've talked about this product. I got inspired after watching a Chelsea Wears video in which she talked about how much she loved wearing brown blush. Strange concept, but literally the next day I tried it and my make up routine has never been the same. If I'm wearing a blush at all, 9 times out of 10 it's probably Pixi's Bronzer in Subtly Sunkissed. You can see in the swatch how it's barely there, but when on the face it adds a nice glow.

NAILS
The newest addition to my nail collection is this beauty. I was on the hunt for a perfect nude and I found it. Being pale, most "nudes" are about 20 shades darker than me. This is the exact right shade though. I love how easy it is considering you can pair it with anything and never have to worry about your nail polish clashing with whatever you're wearing. It doesn't hurt that it's the only option for a good transition from winter to spring, if you ask me at least. And it's budget friendly at around $4 for a bottle.

What are your favorite nudes?

xx
Tessa