5 Beauty Things To Splurge On

Being a makeup newbie and by no means a makeup wizard, I'm still figuring it all out.

Im still discovering products and brands and figuring out what products are worth a chunk of change and what I can save some dough on. I personally think these five things were worth the splurge. 

These items of course aren't necessary! But when you like makeup a lot thats what you tell yourself.

Either way, it can be nice to own a few quality makeup items. Especially for a married young working middle class lady like myself. It makes me feel all growed up!

In all honesty you CAN get quality items from the drugstore and for descent prices too!

Yet, these 5 products have really wowed me and I think in this case spend the cash!

1. Fancy Blush: Benefits Coralista
Its absolutely beautiful, highly pigmented, and smooth. Thats one thing I have noticed about some cheaper blushes…they can be chalky and then fall right off my face. grr! Benefit's Coralista lasts all through my work day

2. Concealer that Works: MAC Pro Longwear Concealer
It took me a longtime to figure out why my dark circles would never cover up. Finally I invested in a good concealer. And by good I mean it lasts all freaking day and actually covers up the face poop.

3. A Versatile Palette: Urban Decay's Naked 2 Palette
This is the first Naked palette I purchased about 3/4 years ago and I swear it looks almost untouched. From that point on I really began to appreciate the quality & butteriness of UD eyeshadows. I now have the other Naked palettes and they are all so versatile and easy to use, but can seem pretty pricey. For the quality and the quantity of shadows in the palette its worth the splurge.

4. Luxurious Lipstick: MAC Lipstick
Whether its MAC, Urban Decay, YSL; Get at least one luxurious, fancy lipstick and call it a day. There is a difference for sure! Maybe you can find a color dupe, but a quality dupe is not so easy for higher end lipsticks. Plus I just feel like a ritzy lady when I whip out a sleek black tube and smear it all over my lips.

5. A Quality Blending Brush: MAC 217
Until recently I never even used brushes! I think I had one raggedy old brush for blush. Now I have educated myself about the purpose and usefulness of using good brushes for makeup application. Of course I have my Real Techniques brushes, but the one that kept popping up is the MAC 217.
It really does work! Its the best fluffy, soft blending brush.
A cheaper alternative, but still pricey for one brush in my book, is the Sigma E25

So get out there and spend your dough on makeup so I won't be alone!

xoxo

Jaclyn Hill Inspired Makeup: Rose Sparkle

So, at 24 I realized I had no idea how to

really put on makeup.

Heck! I barely knew what certain products were used for.

Several months ago I was in a wedding. So, before that day came around I knew

I had to figure out this whole makeup thing.

Remembering that my friend Jamie enjoyed watching tutorials on Youtube, 

I hopped on the web and began my studies.

One of the first people that I really enjoyed watching was:

Jaclyn Hill

Fun and bubbly, but also extremely informative!

I loved watching her videos and honestly I sort of blame it on her

that Im now a "makeup junky".

No…Im not a makeup wizard, but I have learned loads of tips and tricks

and I actually enjoy putting on and playing with makeup.
Which is saying a lot because in my youth I truly hated makeup!
(and thats a whole other story)
But NOW...

Its definitely another artistic outlet for this crafty creature!

The photo above  is a recreation of Jaclyn Hill's Rose Sparkle look.

Its one of my favorites this summer!
A link to watch her video: Rose Sparkle

Here is sort of a goofy close up of the eyes.
[ I really gotta figure out how to take good beauty/makeup photos! ]
Any tips?

Products Used:

Makeup Geeks Eyeshadows

Mac items

Thanks for reading!
xoxo,

eyeshadows available at: Makeup Geek

MAC Peachstock Love

So I just recently jumped on the makeup bandwagon and 

with that comes a deep hunger and obsession. 

I must report, that I have fallen victim to the most

heinous of Makeup Addictions:

(Dun DUn Dun!)

MAC 

Mac lipsticks to be specific. 

They make me feel so fancy and I freaking love all the colors.

I just want to smear them all over my face!

I now have a small collection of the very best

(for my skin tone and personal preference)

AND now they have a new friend:

Peachstock.

A beautiful, nudish peachy color. A satin finish

(so its nice and moisturizing)

Its a MAC Pro color they just added to the permanent collection.

I used to be a NOT so big fan of the "nude lip"

But with this pretty color that has a hint of peach, 

its so flattering and fun.

 I have been loving this color for a subtle summer lip look

and as something to pair with a sexy, smoky eye without giving me the

dreaded "dead" look.

Peachstock LOVE!

available at maccosmetics.com