Yet another post to share!

I need to start collecting the best posts of the week and sharing at once, don't you think? Anyway, my dear friend Coco has inspired me to get a little more, shall we say, fierce with my lipstick choices. I am starting with a red from NARS called Viridiana (Color swatch to the left, $24 at Sephora). She suggested "Beyonce Red" by Loreal Infalliable lipstick, if you don't have time to get to a Sephora as well.

If YOU would like to move into the realm of red, check out this post from Beauty Bets (again, told you it was a good blog) on "The Best Red Lipsticks of All Time"

Blog post to share

Hi all! I realized that part of the goal of this blog was to share blog posts that I find, not just cover products I have personally tried. So, I am going to try and be a little better about doing that (and you all will get more postings and info from me in the process. Win-win, right?)

This is a blog I started following recently, and I really enjoy it. Her post today is about cuticle oil, which I know I could definitely use after this frigid winter. So go check out Beauty Bets drugstore discovery.

Covergirl SmokyShadow Blast

So I had a couple extra bucks in my pocket this weekend and decided to try out a couple of new beauty products for fun. The first one I'd like to review is the Covergirl SmokyShadow Blast. I purchased "Bronze Fire" (dark brown and cream) at Rite Aid for ~$8.

Photo: www.covergirl.com

First, the set-up. Step 1, which goes over your whole lid is a rounded tip, and step 2, which goes along the lash line and in the crease is more pointed. Both sides are the consistency of typical wet eyeshadow or wet blush...fairly thin, definitely not like lipstick. It goes on smoothly, but I had to use my finger to blend it all in. I also needed regular eyeliner...the second step is not really eyeliner at all.

It looks pretty good going on, although it was a little bit light. At the end of today (4 pm) I can still see it some, but the "smoky" effect is definitely blended away. It's definitely not a substitute for a proper smoky eye with normal eyeshadow. For a weekday though, it works. It also would be a good tool to throw in your purse as a "back-up" tool for last minute plans or surprise work meetings where you need to freshen up your look. Also, it would be a good tool in a gym bag; that way if you shower and get ready at the gym you don't have to tote a ton of eyeshadow tools with you.

Overall, I give this a B- for ease of use but points off for light application and not staying on very well.

Help me choose!

Gals I am going to a Mardi Gras ball in two weeks. After 6 years in Louisiana I am FINALLY getting around to checking this off my list. It's not a big fancy one like the ones in NOLA, but it's definitely a good one for Baton Rouge! :) And I never, repeat NEVER, get  the chance to be dressed up or anything. 99% of my time is spent in gym clothes and lounge-wear these days...needless to say, I'm pumped.

So this is a pic of me and T from 2007 at my sister's debutant ball in the dress that I will wear. Cute dress, but I gotta say it's not one of my most outstanding hair and makeup moments. Very plain. I would like to actually look like I am attending a ball from the neck up this time. I am not going for an updo...T is not a huge fan, and it costs more at the salon to get an updo. It needs to be a style that can survive though. I get it styled at noon, but the ball isn't til evening, and I will be outside for a parade at some point as well So...what say you? Let me know in the comments what you think. If you can't see my profile pic, my hair is longer now than in 2007...about to my collarbone.

All photos courtesy of People.com

I'm kinda thinking one of the Glee girls, what do you think?? If you have any better ideas, please let me know. Also. Makeup ideas...I am thinking smokey eye with neutral lip, and a steel grey nail polish. Yay or nay?

Pantone Color of the Year

As my second cold of the season sets in, combined with my graceful spill on the ice in Nash, and the in general dreariness of it all I started looking for something to perk up my days. I'm not quite ready to give up fall and winter makeup, but I may have to sneak in Pantone's color of the year, Honesuckle, here and there.

What's this color of the year business? Well, Pantone is a company that provides, among other things, a standard for colors that printing, design, and other industries. In other words, if one company wants to print something in red, they can use the Pantone system to select and standardize their colors. They release color reports identifying color trends to coincide with Fashion weeks (SPRING 2011 HERE) And that, is where this post comes in. I personally love this color. Now, I am no fashionista so I won't even get into suggestions for clothes; although, I will state that I may become slightly obsessed with locating a dress in this exact color for my BFF's May wedding. Strapless. Just sayin. (If you see one, holla...)

But imagine this color on cheeks, lips, and nails...I know, RIGHT? So cute. I may have to sneak some on my toes this winter. No one will know but me, but sometimes it's the little things that can brighten your day! I found three items below that are along the right color lines: Nars blush in Desire ($28), OPI Polish in Ladies and Magenta-men ($9), and Korres lip butter in Quince ($10).

I personally will stay away from the color on my nails until spring, but I'm all about it on my lips and incorporating into outfits (cami under a sweater, scarf...again, not a fashion maven here, but it could be cute!) Hope you are all staying warm and cozy...and if you need a pick me up, maybe this is just the ticket for you!

Update: Not two seconds after I posted this I found this Allure blog in my reader on the same thing! See gals, I really AM up on the times! They have some better tips about selecting the right tone for you, along with some pictures. So continue your lesson in 2011's "hot color" HERE.

Photo credits: Pantone.com, Shaun Kearney for Cynthia Steffe / The PANTONE Fashion Color Report, Sephora.com, NARScosmetics.com,

Allure?! What the heck is this???

Oh. What. The. F. is this business? I'm sorry, I love Jennifer Anniston. I think she's gorgeous, and usually (usually) her hair and makeup at events and premiers is DEAD ON. But this Allure cover? Oh no.

Allure.com

Absolutely not. Ok first off the photoshopping is out of whack--she looks like a doll. Second, um, the teddy bear? Cause whoa creepy. Also a no. Her makeup is ok...just ok. The hair is a really weird color. Oh, everything about this is just all wrong. And that makes me sad. The article claims this is supposed to be a "fun 60s and 70s look" but it OBVIOUSLY missed that mark.

I am a devoted Allure subscriber, but this cover shoot is an epic fail. There is one nice pic in the set if you want to see more at Allure.com HERE.

Bring some shine into your life (or at least your hair)

So maybe it's winter, maybe it's me, but I've noticed my hair has been looking super dull lately. It's no secret that I color my hair, but I'm on hiatus until my stylist comes off maternity leave (maybe. I'm not sure I can make it that long, but I'm going to try). However, yesterday in Walgreens I came upon this product:

Photo from drugstore.com

I am not new to the world of glazes; I tried John Freida a few years ago. That brand worked pretty well as far as shine goes, but didn't smell very good, the texture was more of a gel than anything else, and after using my hair was somewhat "squeaky" if you know what I mean. I hadn't used anything in a long time, so I thought about trying this. It was $6.99 ($6.00 at drugstore.com) for 4 oz, but that's not too bad for Aveeno. I have tried Aveeno active naturals shampoo without much success, but I was willing to give it a shot.

I'm glad I did, because so far I really like it. You just apply it post shampoo & conditioner in the shower, let it set 2-3 min, and rinse. Easy! Shine example to the right taken with my camera phone.

I didn't use any products post shower and didn't apply any heat tools other than the hair dryer and a round brush to try and make it look better. Pretty good, huh? Another bonus is the light and flowery scent (hence the "active naturals" I suppose). Also, it's a cream, so it goes on your hair easily in the shower, just like a conditioner would. When I combed through my hair I had zero tangles, which my expensive conditioner can't even do, giving it BIG points in my book as well. The only concern is there didn't seem to be many available on the shelves; I don't know if this is a new product Aveeno is marketing, or one that isn't doing well. I guess I'll have to wait and see on that.

The goal is to help extend color, not totally replace having your hair colored, and at first glance it seems to do the trick. I will report back if it washes out tomorrow, but otherwise I give this product a 4 out of 5.