"Your Lips, but Better"

In one of my more recent posts, I showed you guys some makeup products I got for my prom. Within those products, I have found my all-time favorite lip combination. 

Don't get me wrong. I love dark berrys, and matte reds as much as the next person, but I've never been able to find a lip combination that was just a nice, natural my lips but better color. Until now. 

Safe to say, I'm obsessed. What's your all time favorite lip combo?

xx Jenna

Prom Haul!

A few days ago I went to my first ever prom, and it was a blast (see my previous post).

 Naturally, I had to pick up some new makeup, shoes, etc. etc. for the special occasion. This is what I've collected over the last few months to complete my prom look!

shoes: Jessica Simpson (left) BCBG (right)

clutch: Express

lip products: MAC angel lipstick and viva glam rihanna lipgloss 

blush: MAC harmony (used as bronzer)

earrings: local dress boutique 

xx Jenna

PROM 2014: HAIR, MAKEUP, OUTFIT

It's officially Prom season!

I got my hair done at my favorite salon....

I straightened my hair on my own (to save time) and then I had my hair curled with two braids along the frame of my face. Then, both braids were bobby pinned around the crown of my head, and some of my hair was looped through that braid to create a waterfall effect. Confusing, I know. 

Then, I had my makeup done at MAC. Let me just say, they did a fantabulous job. I showed the super nice woman a picture of my dress, told her I didn't want anything too crazy, and she worked her magic. 

I don't know specifically every product that I'm wearing, but I do know a few:

MAC angel lipstick

MAC viva glam rihanna lip gloss

MAC harmony blush (as bronzer)

MAC plum foolery blush (as blush)

MAC matchmaster foundation in 1.0

MAC mineralize skinfinish natual in medium

MAC blacktrack fluidline

Okay, so I know basically everything but the eyes and eyebrows. Haha. Anyway, I think it came out really, really, nice.

And finallyyyyyyyyyy....... the dress!

I absolutely loved my dress! It was a champagne-beige-gold color with black lace overlay and rhinestones along the neckline. The back had a corset and was slightly longer than the front, so there was a little train. It had a sweetheart neckline and a drop waist skirt. (I'm not sure of the brand unfortunately.) For shoes, I ended up wearing some black flats that I already owned (even though I showed two different heels in my haul post.)

Hope your prom was as great as mine!

xx Jenna

FOTD #2

I went with a pretty natural face again this day as I had school and didn't want to go too crazy, but I thought I'd show you anyway (is it conceited to say I really like how well it pictured?)

I'm just wearing my normal face routine with black gel eyeliner on my waterline and smudged out along my top lashline. I also did my tightline a smidgen towards the outer corners. Super easy / quick and it just made me seem more put-together I thought!

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream

Benefit Erase Paste

Benefit Bo-ing concealer

Rimmel London Stay Matte pressed powder

Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashed mascara

MAC blacktrack fluidline

EOS lip balm

xx Jenna

OOTD #2 & FOTD #1

Yes, I will start off by saying that I didn't wear shoes the entire day, hence why I am pictured in socks. Now you may ask, "Why not just thrown on a pair of shoes?" Well, curious reader, that's a good question. One I do not have the answer to. 

You may also question if I indeed wore the flannel like this all day. I would respond, "Yes, I indeed did."

Finally - once again - this isn't technically an OOTD / FOTD. I wore this a few days ago when my family had friends over for my mom's birthday. 

top #1: black tshirt (Victoria's Secret)

top #2: white and grey checkered flannel (Old Navy)

bottoms: black compression pants (Old Navy)

socks: Kohls

I tried to keep it natural with the makeup, since only a few people would be over.

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream

Benefit Erase Paste

Benefit Bo-ing Concealer

Rimmel London Stay Matte pressed powder

NARS laguna bronzer

NARS orgasm blush

Anastasia brow pencil

Benefit Gimme Brow

Urban Decay Naked 1 + 3 palettes 

EOS lip balm

Please pay no mind to this horrific face I am making. There wasn't much natural lighting, so I had to awkwardly angle my face to even somewhat see the eyeshadow. 

xx Jenna

Drugstore Makeup Starter Kit

I was rummaging through my makeup drawers just a few moments ago, and I really didn't realize how many amazing products I had - from the drugstore. Many of these are - or were at some point in time - part of my everyday makeup routine, so don't fret! I do highly recommend all of these products - or, trust me, I wouldn't be showing them to you - and I really do hope you enjoy them as much as I have over the years!

Since this is a 'beginner makeup' blog post, I included all neutral colors so the makeup doesn't seem overpowering if this is the first time you've tried anything like this before. The eyeshadows are mostly matte, the blush is completely natural, and the bronzer isn't too pigmented. (Okay, I know there's a bright red lip product here, but 1. it's not too pigmented so it's not entirely red, just a flush of color and 2. I didn't have a neutral shade of this product, but it's really fantastic.)

Pixi bronzer

NYX blush (mauve)

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter (candy apple)

Physician's Formula Concealer RX

Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder

Revlon Colorstay eyeshadow (adventurous)

Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation

Avon eyeliner (brown) - does this count as drug store? oops

Best of luck! Let me know if you try out any of these products!

xx Jenna

Get the Look: Lorde on Rolling Stone!

Hi beauties! 

I said a few posts back that one thing you all should know about me is that I'm a huge MAC fanatic, which is still 100% true. Well, MAC is to makeup as Lorde is to music. 

Okay, that was a horrific analogy. Basically, I'm obsessed with anything and everything to do with Ella Yellich O'Connor at the moment, or better know by her stage name Lorde. Recently on the cover of Rolling Stone, Lorde is a 17 year old girl from New Zealand with 2 Grammys and a #1 hit 'Royals' (I'm sure all of you know that, but I figured it was important to include.)

I could literally go on for days with a Lorde Appreciation post, but that's not what this is (does anyone want one, though? I'd be more than willing! hint hint). I'm completely obsessed with her style and her make for her shoot was completely on pointe. In fact, I loved it so much that I wanted to recreate it here for you guys so you all could get this stunning look as well. It's fairly simple, but I've included step-by-step directions on what to do. Let's begin:

Sephora Bronzer (Bora Bora)

Maybelline Great Lash Lots-of-Lashes

Benefit Gimme Brow (light/medium)

Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick (Black Cherry)

MAC eyeshadows (Espresso / Blanc Type/ Antiqued)

Stila Stay All Day liquid liner

MAC lip pencil (Nightmoth)

Step 1: Start by applying your favorite foundation, concealer, and powder. Her foundation here is quite matte, so be sure to pick a foundation with a fuller coverage and powder-away any shinyness. 

Step 2 (where the fun begins): Lorde is always rocking a big, bold brow and I'm obsessed (question: how many times will I use the word 'obsessed' in this post?) Start by filling in the shape of your brow with a heavy hand using MAC's Espresso eyeshadow (or any shadow that matches your natural hair color.) Feel free to fake a killer arch if you have to. Define and darken your brows further by setting them with Benefit's Gimme Brow. 

Step 3: Prime your eyes and start by swiping a neutral shade of eyeshadow that matches your skin color all over your lids and up to your brown bone. Here, I'm using MAC's Blanc Type. This shouldn't add much of an effect to the overall look - we're only providing a basis for the rest of the eyeshadow and adding a matte highlight. 

Step 4: With MAC's Antiqued and a MAC 217 brush, start by lightly outlining where you want to place the shadow. To achieve Lorde's look, apply the shadow in a dramatic winged shape out towards the end of your brow using a light hand. Using windshield wiper motions, slowly work this color lightly into your crease. Blend, blend, blend. 

Step 5: Apply a thin layer of liquid eyeliner on the top lash line. In this look, Lorde has no wing, but feel free to add one if you feel it adds to the look!

Step 6: Curl and apply your mascara! Lorde's bottom lashes are interestingly more prominent than her upper lashes, so focus the mascara there. Apply only a thin coat to the upper lashes so they don't look like falsies. 

Step 7: This may sound odd, but contour using a color that matches the color of your eyeshadow you applied. (Sephora's Bora Bora bronzer is awfully similar to MAC's Antiqued eyeshadow.) Suck in your cheeks, make a fishy face, and contour till you're blue in the face! This is applied with a heavy hand, so go wild with it. We don't want to look muddy, though! (There's a fine line between 'chiseled' and 'dirty-looking.')

Step 8: Last, but not least, line and fill in your lips with a purple-red lip liner. Apply some matching lipstick (this color is perfect - not too purple and not too red) and you're all set!

Congrats! You just mastered the art of Ella Yellich O'Connor and I'm sure you all look fabulous.

Do you guys want to see any other celebrity-inspired looks? Let me know!

xx Jenna

Completed Look: Makeup for Traveling!

Hi lovelies, happy Saturday / almost Superbowl Sunday!

I know I'm just barely getting this post up in the schedule that I set for myself, but time somehow got away from me this week. Anyywayyyyy.....

I'm so excited to say that I'm leaving for Disney pretty soon, and it's time to start deciding on what to bring and what to wear. To gear up for my upcoming trip, don't be surprised to see an excessive amount of travel-related posts (such as this one.) Today, I wanted to show you guys a quick and easy, "travel-proof" face of makeup that I will more than likely be sporting on my nearing plane ride. So let's begin!

Covergirl Outlast 3-in-1 Foundation

Benefit Gimme Brow

Maybelline Great Lash Lots-of-Lashes

Maybelline Color Tattoo (Barely Branded)

E.O.S. lip balm

Face: Yes, I know. I just blogged about this foundation, but that's how much I love it! This foundation is perfect for travel because it's long wearing and primer, powder, and even concealer isn't needed with this. Slap some on, and you're good to go - wherever you're going!

Eyes: No primer or brush needed! Cream eyeshadows are ideal for long days spent in the car or on a plane/train - they won't budge and touch-ups are rarely needed! This color specifically helps brighten your eyes and tie together a look. Swipe on a few coats of this Maybelline mascara, and your lashes will look amazing without smudging or flaking throughout the day! Top it off with a bold brow (that takes literally seconds to achieve) and you're ready to conquer your day of traveling.

Lips: When I'm traveling, the last thing I want to be worried about is my lipstick smudging or wearing off, so applying just a lip balm is the only way to go! Obviously any kind will do, but this one happens to be one of my favorites. 

The best part about this whole look is that it can be achieved using absolutely zero brushes. Too tired to get ready before you leave the house? Take a small makeup bag and get ready at the airport!

What's your beauty essential when you're traveling? Let me know! 

I hope you guys enjoyed this post, and keep a lookout for future travel posts, too!

xx Jenna 

First Impression: Covergirl Outast 3 in 1 Foundation

What's happening internet junkies? I'm back with a first time first impression post for all of y'all. I'm super excited so I hope you guys are, too!

Today, I'll be trying out the Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 foundation (phew, try saying that 5 times fast.) Now, this foundation isn't necessarily new, but I haven't seen a ton of blog posts or videos talking about this product.

I heard about this foundation through Beautybaby44 and MissMeghanMakeup over on YouTube. They  both rave about this product, but if I'm being totally honest? I'm kind of a makeup snob and prefer products at Sephora rather than drugstore ones, mostly because I've had some seriously (emphasis on the "seriously") bad experiences with drugstore makeup.

Okay, enough rambling! Let's begin:

This is the packaging:

According to the bottle, this foundation has the lasting power of a primer, the coverage of concealer, and the blend-ability of a foundation.

I applied the foundation with my BeautyBlender sponge around 1:00 P.M. The foundation goes on smooth and blends easily, but the sponge seemed to absorb most of the product. (Side note = I aplpied this foundation with a flat top brush the next day and did not enjoy the feeling it left on my skin. The BeautyBlender is the way to go. I've noticed that if you apply this foundation rapidly with the BeautyBlender, then less product is absorbed by the sponge.)

 The coverage is great and buildable without getting cakey, and it leaves a matte finish. Those of you with dry skin may want to shy away from this product, but oily, combination, and normal skin will do fine. 

This definitely feels like a your-skin-but-better foundation; it's not sitting on my skin, moving around. It stayed in place and feels like I'm wearing nothing. 

I kept the foundation on for about five hours before removing, but it still looked like I had just applied it! 

PROs:

1. Comes with cap AND lock-in-place pump, so it'll be almost impossible for spillage. 

2. Pump is super convenient for easy applications. 

3. Pump disperses foundation in small amounts, so you're not wasting any product. 

4. Left a beautiful matte-but-not-dead finish. 

5. Stayed in place longer than any foundation I own (yes, even high end ones.)

6. I only needed one layer to cover imperfections, but it was still easy to build and blend where I needed it. 

CONs:

1. Liquidy product, so sponge absorbs some of the product. 

2. On certain skin tones, this foundation could oxidize a tad and appear darker than the shade you  purchased.  This only seems to happen on my skin when I wear this foundation for a longer period of time. Even then, it's only even SLIGHTLY noticeable in certain light settings. (For reference, I am the lightest shade - 805 Ivory. )

Overall, I highly recommend this foundation. To be honest, I was expecting to not like it whatsoever, but I honestly think I've just found my everyday, go-to foundation!

I'm thinking of posting pictures of a makeup look featuring this foundation. What do you guys think? Let me know!

Until next time beauties! Keep on smiling

xx Jenna

My MAC Collection!

Hey y'all!

Something you guys should know about me is that MAC is definitely my go-to makeup brand. My first piece of "high end" makeup was bought from MAC. I think part of the reason that I love it so much is because of my mom. When I first started getting into makeup, my mom is the one who introduced me to MAC. Just a little disclaimer, I definitely don't have the biggest MAC collection out there (I can promise you that), but I do have quite a few products. I don't intend to brag about the products I have whatsoever. I thought I'd give you all a peak into a part of my makeup collection and show you guys what I have! So let's begin . . .

 This the overview of all the products. Down below I have closeups of some of them. 

These are all of the lip products that I own from MAC including swatches of all of them. 

PENCILS: 

Throw Me a Line! ProLongwear lip pencil (2012 Summer collection)

Nightmoth ProLongwear lip pencil

LIPSTICK:

Salute! (amplified)

Viva Glam Nicki (satin)

Viva Glam Gaga (lustre)

Cyber (satin)

LIPGLASS:

Send Me Sailing (2012 Summer collection)

Style Packed

Viva Glam Nicki

Viva Glam Gaga

Emerald Sea powerpoint eye pencil

Graphback technakohl eye-liner

Plum Foolery (sheertone shimmer blush)

Sunbasque (sheertone shimmer blush)

All That Glitters 

Antiqued

Jaunty (frost, 2012 Summer collection)

Naked Lunch (frost)

Espresso (matte)

Blanc Type (matte)

Miss Piggy Pink (frost, limited edition)

Along with these products, I have a 217 blending brush (LOVE!), Prep + Prime skin base, and Blacktrack fluidline. 

I highly recommend MAC products as a good starter to any makeup collection. I hope this helped some of you guys!

xx Jenna 

2013 Superlatives: Best Beauty Products

Hey everyone!

One of my favorite types of blog posts to read, or YouTube videos to watch, are "favorites"lists - more specifically, end-of-the-year "favorites" lists. If you're unfamiliar with this type of material, it's basically where bloggers/gurus gather together their top products of that year and describe in detail why those products have stuck out above all the others.

To be quite honest, I hesitated on doing this type of blog post because I find it quite difficult to find products that I absolutely adore. I wouldn't want to show you all products that were just okay. But have no fear! After thoroughly looking through the beauty products in my collection, I found twelve products that I fell in love with throughout 2013. Surprising, I know, but I can completely say that these products have all earned their spot on my "favorites" list. Okay, enough rambling. Let's begin:

1. Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes

Oh my goodness. This mascara. Enough said. Buuuttttttt, I can't stop raving about this product. Imagine Benefit They're Real, but for only $5!!! Definitely a holy grail product. Curls, volumizes, lengthens, and defines lashes all at the same time.

2. Essie Butler Please

Funny story about this product. I had my eye on this color for months. Every time I walked into a store, this polish immediately caught my eye. When I finally decided to take a closer look at it, I read the name as Butter Please and thought "Wow, I need this product just because the name is hysterical." I found out a month later that I completely misread it. Either way, it's a beautiful color that I continue to reach for again and again, which I rarely do, so I have to include it in my favorites, right? Right. 

3. Revlon Black Cherry

Safe to say that this color sparked my love affair with dark berry colors. I did an entire post on this lip color. Check that out. 

4. E.O.S. lip balms

I have chapped lips all the time and nothing has ever worked for me. Besides this lip balm. It comes in great scents (flavors?) with corresponding colors and in a cute little egg shaped package. How could you resist?

5. NYX Mauve blush

Okay, sadly this color isn't quite showing up on camera, but trust me: it's worth it to go to your local store and check it out. I honestly can't even correctly describe this color. I guess mauve would suffice *more sarcasm* but seriously. It has purple-pink-brown undertones. Gorgeous for a natural blush. Buildable for a dramatic blush. Or make a statement and wear it as a bronzer *gasp.*

6. Sephora Airbrush Concealer brush #57

I included this brush in my favorites when I realized that I literally use this brush for everything. I bought this brush a little over a year ago, but just fell in love with it recently. It's perfect for precise contouring along the cheekbone, swiping a color all over the lid, blending eyeshadow, and of course, blending concealer. It does exactly what the name says it does. Give it a try. 

7. Urban Decay Naked3

Okay, I literally had to include this palette. I'm sure you have all seen it by now, but if not? Please take a look. It's stunning. But honestly, any Naked palette belongs on this list. Sooooo, yeah. There's that. 

8. Simple Facial Cleansing wipes

I have very pale, sensitive, acne prone skin, so skin care products make me very nervous. The Simple brand, however, is light on the skin while still leaving it clean and refreshed. I use this facial cleansing wipes to remove makeup, oils, and dirt from my pores before completing my night time routine, or after I wake up for a pick-me-up for my skin.

9. Clinique 3 Step System

This is the night time routine I just previously mentioned. Any acne system that I've tried before has either burned my skin or caused me to breakout even more. Not this one. I've noticed less redness, hyper pigmentation, oil, shine, and blemishes since using this product, which is literally a miracle. If you have a skin type like me, please please please try this routine. 

10. Salon Graffix Shaping Hair Spray

An odorless hairspray that doesn't leave little white flakes in your hair? Or leave it crunchy? Or knot your hair? Sign me up.

11. / 12. Not Your Mother's Beach Babe texturizing spray / Kinky Moves curl creme

I included these two products together because this is my everyday hair routine. I've probably repurchased these two products at least a dozen times, which is a record setting number for me. I've never been happier with my hair than when I use these two products together. The first separates the curls and adds life back to them, while the second locks them in place and defines each one. If you have kinky-curly hair like I do, I highly recommend these products together. 

Phew! Well that's everything! My first ever Yearly Favorites blog post! Did you like it? Let me know! And be sure to leave a comment telling me if you want a further, more in-depth review on any of these products.

Until next time beauties!

xx Jenna

My Favorite Fall/Winter Lip Colors

Hi all :)

A few weeks ago, I made a few small purchases from Sephora and my local drug store, mostly consisting of lip sticks. I was in the search of "appropriate" deep, dark colors for this time of year and I came away with these . . . 

From left to right: Sephora Collection Color Lip Last (16, Orange Rocks) / Sephora Collection Color Lip Last (20, Wanted Red) / Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick (477, Black Cherry)

I am a bit unconventional when it comes to the colors I wear throughout the different seasons, and that was no exception in this purchase! Both Sephora lipsticks are matte, while the Revlon lipstick is a creme color.

The color on the left is a beautiful bright, orange, which seems quite odd for a season where you would normally wear dark lip colors. But this adds a perfect pop of color to any outfit without being too summer-y. The matte texture of it too makes it feel more "winter," as well.

There's not much to say about the middle color other than it's basically a Fall/Winter essential: your typical true red. Perfect with any outfit you could wear during the colder months.

The last color on the right is possibly my favorite lip color to wear at the moment. A highly pigmented, yet build-able purple-wine color that dresses up any outfit. The actual color payoff is quite different than how it appears in the tube (refer to the color swatches above), but I find it even more beautiful to be honest.

Each of these colors are absolutely gorgeous and "season-appropriate" in their own right (I've included more pictures below that are close-ups.) I 100% adore these colors, and I hope you do, as well! :)

xo Jenna