February Favorites!

I haven't done a monthly favorites in such a long time. I like to really wait until I love a handful of things so much, my excessive use of them makes me have to write a post like this! lol Rest assured, if a product is featured in this post, it is something that I am bursting at the seams waiting to share with you! Maybe we are loving the same things at the moment...you tell me :)

Here we go:

Hair

L'Oreal Ever Strong Sulfate-Free Reconstruct Conditioner

• Smells AMAZING! 
• Nice thick consistency that coats your strands fully for great results
• Leaves hair soft and gives you that great tingly minty feeling on your scalp upon use :)
• Sulfate-free

One n Only Argan Oil

• Great price point compared to some other argan oil treatments on the market at around $10.00
• Smells absolutely fabulous
• Doesn't leave hair greasy
• Leaves hair soft and shiny

Beauty:

Origins VitaZing

• Wonderful moisturizer with a slight tint 
• No irritating fragrance
• Priced at $35 (not too bad for a higher end moisturizer) 
• Gives skin that healthy glow   

MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural in Medium Plus

• This stuff has lasted me FOREVER! 
• I not only use this as a face powder on occasion but also a transition color when blending eyeshadows which it works wonderful for!

Buck Eyeshadow from the UD Naked Palette, Stila Kajal Eyeliner in Onyx, MAC Typographic Eyeshadow

• I tweeted about nailing the perfect every time smokey eye and these are the products that made that possible for me. 
• Stila Kajal eyeliners are all so creamy and super blendable
• MAC Typographic is the perfect charcoal gray that one would desire when doing a smokey eye
• Buck is my perfect shade for blending as a transition color in this look (for those with lighter skin tone, naked may work better!)

Revlon Lipbutter in Cotton Candy

• Glides on smoothly and moisturizes well
• Perfect wash of light pink color with a slight sheen to make the lips look "awake" :)

Do we share any of the same favorites?

xox

Hair Curling Madness: Photos with 7 different curling tools!

Curling my hair is one of my favorite ways to wear it. As a girl who grew up with straight hair, I always wanted the opposite, but of course, haha Curling irons weren't a friend of mine as a child---looking back I always looked like curly Sue or a poodle, but hey at the moment I thought I looked cute :) As a young woman, there are more things within my reach to achieve all sorts of curls and looks and I am so thankful that my hair is fairly easy to curl after all, I RARELY even use hairspray! Here are some of the treasures that I hold in my hair cabinet--some look funky, some are considered "vintage" since they aren't even available for purchase anymore and one is actually something I "made" myself ;) Take a look for yourself and enjoy!

Tools: 

Revlon Deep Waver

 

Vidal Sassoon VS 027 -Photo of curling iron taken from MakeupAlley.com

Conair 3/4 inch Spiral Curling Iron

25mm NUME Curling Wand

Conair Infiniti Curling Wand

Hot Tools 1 & 3/4 in curling iron. To achieve this curl I used the iron pictured but I took off the clamp on mine making it into a wand :)

Conair Ceramic 1 inch Curling Iron

Curling Products: 

Tresemme Tre-Two Hairspray and Big Sexy Hair Spray and Play Hairspray

It's A 10 Miracle Leave in Product and Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray

If you have ever seen a photo of me with my hair curled it was most definitely either the Conair Infiniti, NUME Curling wand or my handmade Hot Tools :) I also do my hair pretty often with my Conair Hot Rollers--For photos of me using those be sure to follow me on twitter where I always link all of my impromptu photos ;) @alyseap

Let me know if you all want to see a more detailed post on how I get my "go to" waves. 

Which curling irons/wands/contraptions are your favorites?

I love curls, oh yes I do!

xox

Product Review: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

Pros: 

1. Wind up bottom (you don't have to sharpen this bad boy!)
2. Wide array of available colors
3. Nourishing formula (it's a balm)
4. Long lasting stain

Cons: 

1. This applicator is like a chunky crayon (similar to the NYX Jumbo eye pencils), therefore you really can't get precise application. I, however, don't mind this too too much because it goes on really quickly because of the large amount of area it covers at once!
2. Don't be deceived, the container is only half way filled with product, boo! 

Final Thoughts:


I really like this lip stain.  It is the consistency of a lip balm so it doesn't try out my lips like many other stains would.  I also like that there are so many different colors offered so that I can have a wide variety in my collection if I am looking for a stain.  I LOVE that I don't have to ever sharpen this and overall I love the staying power.  If I throw this on in the morning, toward the end of the day the glazed look from the balm effect will fade off but I will still have a stain of color on my lips giving me that "Just Bitten" look, no pun intended ;) 


Yay for lip stains!, 


xox

February Favorites-Beauty/Fashion

I haven't done a monthly favorites in a while.  This isn't to say that I haven't had products that I have enjoyed using during the months before this post, just that by doing them every month, I feel like they get boring for me to write about, and I NEVER want to feel bored writing a blog post, so I skipped a few months ;) Needless to say, I am so glad I did because I am so excited to write about these favorites in the month of February!

Let's get right to it:

1. Milani Liquif'Eye Eyeliner in the color 05 Brown

 I love this eyeliner for many reasons.  One, it is a nice dark chocolate brown, a perfect alternative to black, which honestly is a pretty harsh color for everyday use in my opinion.  My favorite brown eyeliner before this was Whiskey by UD, the one that came in the first round of the Naked Palette 1.  When I ran out of that one, I was determined to find another one that came close to the staying power and amazing color, and this is def it! This is definitely one of those eyeliners that when you place it, if you want to smudge it, do it QUICK because it will stay put like no other after about 10 seconds. 

2. Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10

This is a miracle product for me.  This is a gel that contains 10% benzoyl peroxide which is a powerful agent in fighting off acne.  Now, I know you're wondering--do you have acne? No, I was thankfully blessed with pretty normal skin.  Normal meaning, I do get a breakout here and there on occasion from stress, a non-balanced diet etc, but nothing that is overwhelming.  I have found that the times that I do breakout, it is somewhere on my cheek. Odd enough, after significant research, I read that breakouts on your cheeks are directly attributed to stress! Between working with 3+ children daily, making time to see my boyfriend and his hectic work schedule and trying to get back into school, I feel like I am definitely a "breeding ground" for stress haha  This is definitely a life saver though. Right at the sign of any kind of breakout, you just take a pea size amount (or even less) and dab it on the cleaned area.  I put this on after I wash my face before bed and wake up with almost nothing! It completely dries out the affected area and in two days, what could have been a disaster site, is not a nothing :)

3. Revlon Lipbutters-Creme Brulee and Red Velvet

 These lip butters are the only ones I have aside from the Cotton Candy one I showed in a previous post.  I figured I had a pink so I needed to try a nude and a red now.  I love deeper reds because I feel like they compliment my skin tone much better sometimes. I do have many orange based brighter reds too and love them just as much, but I am glad I went for a deeper red on this one.  Creme Brulee is my FAVORITE lip product of this entire month hands down.  For me, is is the absolute prefect nude color that is so easy to just slap on as I head out the door.  It isn't too orange on me and doesn't make me look "lifeless" either.  The consistency of the lip butters is like a sheer moisturizing lipstick.  Not amazingly moisturizing, but it does the job lol I love them and have been wearing one of the 3 I have almost everyday this month!

4. Aldo Laughead Boots

I searched for these boots for MONTHS! I went on every Aldo website and store only to find them out of stock.  I spotted these one day online and told myself I would come back and order them at a later date only to find that that wasn't possible :( I fell head over heels in love with these boots because of their striking similarity to the Chanel boots I also fell in love with.  Only missing the contrasting brown on the toe area as well, these were head on and were only around 15% of the price! I knew I had to have them.  I finally gave up my search sadly enough until one day I found ONE boot lying around a random Aldo store.  I asked if they could order them for me and they arrived at my house within a week! I was so happy that although what was reflected on the website told me that they were sold out in all sizes (even on Nordstrom website!) that there obviously was more stock in the warehouse then they were willing to let onto ;) These pair perfectly over leggings and skinny jeans :) I wore them literally ALL the time the past two months :)

5. Wet & Wild Bronzer-Goddess

Before you guys laugh at my broken bronzer, just know that when this broke I nearly cried! haha ok maybe not but still, such a sad event that day lol This bronzer was something I bought on a whim one day at Ulta.  It was under $4 and it has turned into one of my favorite bronzers. It doesn't have any noticeable shimmer that is ridiculously disco ball looking and is the perfect color to warm up my face even on my "no makeup days" which are happening more often lately.  Use a very light hand when using this, a little definitely goes a very long way!

6. Laura Mercier Metalic Creme Eye Colour-Rose Gold

haha I don't even know if it is still available at Laura Mercier, although I don't see why it wouldn't be because it is so fabulous! I bought this initially because I wasn't really into wearing a lot of makeup, still aren't.  I recently started using it a lot because I fell back in love with it. It is a rose gold metallic color that is just stunning. I put this all over my eyelid and blend some UD buck in the crease and I am good to go for an amazing natural beauty look in minutes! I am definitely going to try and get more of these babies ;)

What are your favorites from February?

xox

All About My Hair! (Products/Styles etc)

I am quickly going to share with you what I use on a daily basis on my hair and then get into my 3 staple hair styles that I have been doing for quite sometime now and what key products I use to achieve those! :)

Cleaning/Maintaining:

Shampoo: I use almost anything on my hair (trying to get sulfate free when possible) I know, I know maybe I should be more conscious of what I put in my hair, but I have been using drugstore shampoo for years and my hair has remained perfectly healthy, so maybe my hair just likes it better ;) I do, however, justify this by using a clarifying shampoo once a week like that of Neutrogena's Anti-Residue Shampoo. It is comparable to my Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo but only 1/4 of the cost! This deep cleans out all of the product I have used on my hair throughout the week! Using it once a week is just enough to have fresh hair every week.

Conditioner: I have been using the Tresemme Naturals Conditioner and I absolutely love it!


*I only wash my hair an average of 3-4 times a week.  This assures I get less damage because think about it, your hair really needs some of its naturally produced oils and washing everyday just strips your hair bare!

Dry Shampoo: I use Salon Grafix Dry Shampoo on some of my off days if I feel necessary, although "training" my hair to only be washed a few times a week as opposed to everyday, I feel like it doesn't get anywhere near as oily as you would expect it to so I rarely need this! :)


Styling/Protecting

I have 5 staple hair styles (all of them are with hair down coincidentally!) 4 of them are variations of curling my hair and the other is sleek and straight. Here is how I achieve those looks!

1. Hot Rollers:

Conair Xtreme Instant Heat Multi Size Rollers

 

Using these hot rollers helps me achieve this subtle wavy look. Set it with some flexible hold hairspray (L'Oreal's Elnett) and you're set for a cute style in less than 20 mins!

2. Curing Iron: 

Hot Tools 1.5 in curling iron

 

I have had this curling iron since High School and I have never had any problems with it! It still gets to maximum heat and everything! With this curling Iron you can achieve curls like the photo above, big spiral curls.  I usually spray these babies with my Tres Deux Hair Spray or my Big Sexy Hair for an extreme (but rather flexible) hold!

3. Curling Wand: 

Conair Infiniti Curling Wand

I don't know if you can tell in these two photos but this curling wand creates more of an S curl.  If you are having problems getting a curl to stay in your hair I highly recommend this. Be patient as this process can be a bit time consuming compared to other methods, but you will get a nice bouncy S curl that will last you at least 2 days perfectly! The pic above in the polka dot dress is me with this look day 1. The one with me underneath that is the next day with NO touch ups! I love this curling wand because its almost guaranteed to get two good hair days out of it! ;)

4. Triple Barrel Waver:

Revlon Jumbo Triple Barrel Waver

In this photo I used the Triple Barrel Waver.  Its almost like crimping, but not as 90's haha It actually creates a gorgeous waved look that is reminiscent of something finger-waves would create--but I don't have the time or patience for finger waves so I use this instead lol I didn't do an old Hollywood look this night, but will be having my stylist (and aunt) Allison, do a look using this to create a look like that within the next two weeks so I will be sure to do a whole post on that process as well! I love Old Hollywood Hair :)


5. Blow Dryer

ConairPro Silverbird Blow Dryer

I got this blow dryer for Christmas a few years back and lets just say I hope it never ever dies lol I love how shiny it makes my hair and how quickly it dries and smooths out my hair! I blow dry my hair in under 20 minutes, which is really fast considering my hair is now down to my belly button!!! (trim appt. already made haha) In the photo above I used this blow dryer to achieve straight flipped out hair :)

Protecting My Hair From Heat: 

Its a 10 Miracle Leave in Product

This product is AMAZING! I use it each and every time before I use any of the listed above heating tools.  It not only protects from heat damage, but conditions and prevents breakage amongst 8 other things that are all listed on the back of the bottle lol Oh, and did I mention after using this, your hair will smell GLORIOUS all day long! :)

When I run out of this I revert back to my backup up which is also another fabulous product and much less expensive, my Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray.  

 

Whoa, that was a long post! I don't typically fret over my hair during the week, the simpler for work the better, but during the weekend I like to compensate for all that "dullness" I had during the week and like to spice things up a little which is when I will reach for a curling tool etc. 

What are your favorite hair styling tools? 

Off to work, 

xox

Mini Shop and Tell: MUFE, UD, Revlon and NYX!

I picked up this stuff from Ulta and Sephora a few weeks ago.  3 of them are lip products, and one is a cream blush :) I'm still getting the hang of using my new camera and I have realized that for swatch purposes I definitely need to either use my regular Canon Point and Shoot or get a tripod! It is near impossible to take a photo and manually focus (which is my favorite ) with only one hand haha Ok lets get started!

Make Up Forever HD Blush in #4. 

*Love this so far, very bubblegum pink and a little but DEFINITELY goes a VERY long way. I learned this the hard way in the beginning haha Needless to say, I love that because it means I will be getting tons of long use out of this!

Swatch of MUF Blush #4

Revlon Lip Butter in Cotton Candy

* When I went to Target, this is the only color that they had left so I had to choose this one.  I actually like it a lot, although it is very sheer, and more of a cotton candy glaze.  I throw this on over a lot of more matte formula pink undertone lipsticks for the perfect "icing" on the look!

Swatch of Revlon Lip Butter Cotton Candy

NYX Lipliner Pencil in Pale Pink #854

* This lip liner goes well with my Revlon Lipstick in Pink Pout, it is almost the exact same color except in a lip liner formulation haha I didn't have one like this so this purchase was justified....aren't they all though? ;)

Swatch of NYX Lipliner in Pale Pink

Urban Decay 24/7 Lip Liner in Naked

*This lipliner, although a bit more on the pricey side for a lipliner, is SO worth it! I have yet to find a lipliner in this perfect natural shade that is so creamy and long lasting.  Now just to find a sharpener that won't make it look all chewed up as the cap seems to have done to the tip of it! haha hymm....

Swatch of UD Lipliner in Naked

This was a pretty unplanned shopping trip so I didn't have that much on my wish list at that moment.  Hope you enjoyed :)

Swatches and Love,

xox

Mini Shop and Tell: Milani/Palladio/Revlon/Estee Lauder

 

1. Estee Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Fig #123

2. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in #680 Temptress (Creme)

3. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in # 013 Smoked Peach (Matte)

4. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in # 477 Black Cherry (Creme)

**I went out on a whim by purchasing Black Cherry--it literally looks almost black in the tube, but as you can see it is a beautiful cherry color-perfect for the holidays! Smoked Peach is my favorite of the bunch, I love colors like that and even in the Fall you can put this under a gloss or over a lip pencil of a different color to deepen it up a little for the perfect fall color! I must say, the Estee Lauder lipstick shown, I've had for sometime (I think I got it in a gift set or something), but never really included it in any other blogs and its my favorite red for the Fall so I decided to add it in here--I LOVE the way Estee Lauder Lipsticks smell, I can't exactly pin point what the smell is but its glorious! 

 

1. Palladio Eyeliner in Dark Green 

2. Milani Liquif'Eye Metallic Eye Liner Pencil in 04 Aqua

3. Milani Liquif'Eye Metallic Eye Liner Pencil in 05 Brown

*I LOVE how smooth and pigmented the Milani Eyeliners are--without a doubt some of the best drugstore brand eyeliners that I own. The Palladio one on the other hand was a no go.  It was very hard to work with, had to be heated up before I used it to get any color power and all in all just not worth it, you can even tell from the swatches how different it is from the Milani ones!

Beautiful eyes and Lips,

xox