Meltproof August Eye Look - Maybelline Color Tattoo & Stila in the light pallette

August in Michigan has not been quite as steamy as usual. (Thank goodness!) But when the temperature creeps up, this is my go-to eye look, that I can be sure will not melt down my face.

 

For this look, apply Maybelline Color Tattoo in the color Inked in Pink all over the lid, and into the crease. Maybelline Color Tattoos are always a great base for your eyeshadow, but especially in heat and humidity.

Next, blend a coppery shadow into the crease and outer corner. I used Sunset from my Stila In the Light palette. (A great drugstore alternative would be the "eyelid" shade from Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio 334 I'm Getting Sunburned.) Blend what is left on the brush along the bottom lash line.

Then apply a dark coppery liner close to the lashline, and blend with an angled brush for a softer look. I used my Stila Smudge Stick in Lionfish. Finish with your favorite mascara!

Just in case your skeptical, here's a shot from 10 hours after I did my makeup!

Have a wonderful last weekend in August! And don't melt.

Rachel

comfort food for lips - Nivea lip care

I have 5 Nivea Lip Balms at all times. One in my nightstand. One with my makeup. One in my purse. One in my desk drawer at work. One in my beach bag. You could say that I like this stuff.

During cold Michigan winters, I love to use Nivea A Kiss Of Moisture. It's super soft and smooth. In the summer, I prefer to use A Kiss of Smoothness, because it's a little firmer, and doesn't melt too much in the heat.

No matter the season, every night I swipe on A Kiss Of Moisture, and in the morning, my lips are still totally cozy.

Before I put on my make up in the morning, I use A Kiss of Smoothness. By the time I put on lipstick, my lips are in great shape.

I always keep A Kiss of Berry Swirl in my beach bag. It has SPF 10, which is great for being out in the sun. Also, it has a nice tint to it, as well as a yummy berry scent. It's a great low maintenance lip product for a day at the beach. Or any day, if you're a low maintenance gal!

The packaging for these lip balms is fantastic. I like that they are packaged more like a lip stick than a typical lip balm. The lid is large enough that I can't easily lose it, tight enough that it doesn't fall off in my purse, but still easy to remove.

I hope you'll give these a try! Now, I'm off to stock up on lip balm for the fall!

Rachel

Nail Polish Organization - Tips & Tricks

I have a bit of a nail polish problem. At least, my husband thinks so. Haha! This week, I decided to give a little makeover to the drawer where I keep my manicure supplies. My first idea was to label the tops of my nail polish bottles with their colors. I used:

• small circle punch
• white labels 
• package the labels came it (you could use anything you don't mind getting nail polish on)
• my nail polish

I punched several small circles out of the labels, peeled off the backings, and stuck the just the edge of each circle to the plastic package.

Then I painted each circle with one of my nail polish colors. Some colors will take 2 coats, so wait a few minutes and go over them again. It's worth the extra step. 

So that I didn't mix up the colors, I lined up the bottles in the same order as I painted them.

After they were dry, I gently pressed each colored circle onto the appropriate bottle. I love how they all look coordinated, and I can easily see the colors from above. 

My next step was to clean out my drawer, and rethink my containers. I decided to store everything in my empty birchboxes! I've loved the black and white chevron lining in the last couple of boxes, and this was the perfect opportunity to use them. I decided to divide the polishes by color in the boxes. I love how organized they look now!

Recently, I started using Zoya Remove Plus. The formula is great, but I think the bottle is my favorite part. You flip the cap up, and press a cotton ball down on the lid, until you have the amount you'd like! So nice. I leave that inside the drawer, and keep a glass cup of cotton balls next to it. 

One of the boxes is just for base & top coats, treatments, nail clippers, and other tools. When it's time to switch my nail polish, I can take this box with me, and have everything I need.

I hope you found this helpful, and maybe you'll try labeling your nail polishes! 

Happy Polishing!

Rachel

My H.G. Mascara - blinc Mascara Amplified - review & swatches

I love mascara, and think it makes the biggest impact on my face. If I have a morning where I have 12 seconds to put on makeup, I'll choose mascara. However...

I get raccoon eyes. 

It doesn't matter what kind of mascara I use, waterproof or otherwise, I end up with the huge smudges under my eyes within only a few hours. And if I choose to put mascara on my bottom lashes, it will smudge like crazy in about 20 minutes. I would never put mascara on my bottom lashed, and then just try to wipe the smudges off throughout the day. Until...

...one day, I heard about blinc Mascara. Here's what blinc says about the product:

This mascara doesn’t just paint your lashes to make them darker and longer — it uses a copolymer-based formula to create little tubes around each one of your lashes. And since it’s not a paint, the mascara won’t flake, run, or smudge. When you’re ready to remove it, each individual tube slides off in one piece — no more black smears under your lashline!

When I read that, I knew I had to try it. I ordered a small sample from eBay, because the claims sounded way too good to be true. Also, I don't usually spend more than $20 on a mascara. As soon as I tried it, I knew it was a winner. It stays put. It does not smudge. Even on me. This is because, as the description says, it does not paint your lashes. It creates tubes around them.

I love how it looks on my lashes! I've tried both the original version, and the Amplified version. My favorite is the Amplified. It provides more volume, and I like the big brush. But, if blinc hadn't come out with the Amplified version, I'd still be happily using the original.

Not only does it not smudge, it's super easy to remove. You get your lashes very wet, and gently pull the mascara "tubes" off. Which sounds weird. And it is. See?

Removing the mascara takes some getting used to, but the process is amazing! It comes off easily, and leaves absolutely no residue! I love that it all comes off without oil or scrubbing. It's also super easy to wipe off any smudges or mistakes with a wet Q-tip, if you're a little clumsy when you're applying. Not that I would know... 

Still going strong, and no more raccoon eyes.
(Thank goodness!)
Rachel

*I am not affiliated with blinc. I just enjoy their mascaras.*