Return of the Curl

You know the age-old question that always seems to pop up in fashion magazines... if you could only put on one make-up product before you walked out the door, what would it be?

Well, for me it's always been mascara... with a curled lash, of course. Ok, ok, so that's technically two products, but they're like peanut butta and jelly. They just have to go together.

I shared from the get-go here that my fav eyelash curler was a bargain buy, but sadly, they changed the sponge in it {it used to be black... and it was ah-mazing... now it's a clear-ish/white and it's no good}. So I've been on the hunt. And it's been a long one. I mentioned here that I ordered and tested the highly recommended Shu Uemera and it was terrible. 

But finally, the search is over! Meet my favorite new eye-opener:

Shiseido 'The Makeup' eyelash curler. Heaven. I feel like I can see out of my eyes again! Ok, so that's a little dramatic, but it really is a great tool. It's not quite the $2 bargain I used to rely on, but I don't even care. Best $19 I've ever spent. I recommend you all add one to your makeup bag ASAP. Enjoy!

The Small Joys

Still sending prayers and love to the city of Boston and all those affected by the tragic events.

When everything else in life seems heavy, sometimes I find comfort in the small things. No, I'm not trying to ignore the bad in the world, or pretend like nothing happened, but I find myself reaching for small joys, whether that be an extra smile from someone you love or something that puts a smile on your face. And in this case, something that brightens the smile on your face...

NARS Satin Lip Pencils. Ah-mazing.

NARS $25

Luxembourg is the first shade for my collection, but I think I need to add Yu and Palais Royal soon! This lip formula goes on smooth and wears like an extra rich stain. I find it an easier way to rock the more intense colors... hence my choices listed here!

Pluck It!

Yep. That's what I do when I see an occasional not my natural hair color hair. Ya catch my drift? Greyyyyyy. UGH! I know, I know! I'm going to have to deal with it sometime. It runs in the fam. I was just hoping to be some miracle head of hair and stayed chestnut/mahogany/dark forever!

I mentioned that I was upon a couple of crazy weeks of work and life lately and I don't think that's helping the hair-on-my-head situation. Yes, I'm being a little sensitive. I found probably a total of 5 grey hairs, but when your natural color is nearly black and those pesky surprises show up like sore thumbs, you start to worry with strand 1. 

So, aside from me just dropping in to say 'hi' {I was already going through withdrawals not chatting with you fabulous people after one day!}, I'm asking for your opinion... What do ya think?

Stick to plucking or take the plunge to the dark dye-side?

Found this pic and really kinda loving the lighter locks:

source

Who would have thought I would be drawing hair inspiration from a girl who once played Michelle Tanner? Oh Full House... how you used to be a favorite!

Splurge or Save: Lip Scrub

For this edition of "Splurge or Save," I'm dipping back into the cosmetics world again and sharing one of my favorite products for winter! Without fail, I get a good case of chapped lips every year when the weather changes. A lip exfoliator is a total must for me {I better add it to my list of go-to products!}, but the question is, do you splurge or save?

For me, I think it's worth the splurge on Fresh Cosmetics Sugar Lip Polish, but if you are looking to save a few bucks, this DIY version would be a great alternative!

A Little Bit of Beauty

I'm no expert on cosmetics, but I thought I'd share some of my go-to products!

Hair:
1. Moroccan Oil is a must for my hair! I have naturally wavy/curly hair that I subject to a dryer and straightener daily, but with this product, my hair remains silky and soft. 
2. Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco conditioner not only smells amazing, but truly does the job for my tangly locks. 
3. Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco shampoo leaves my hair feeling clean and shiny without feeling greasy.

Face:
4. Smashbox BB Cream... I've never been a fan of heavy foundations and tinted moisturizers don't provide quite enough coverage for me, so BB Cream is the perfect middle-ground. This is the first and only one I have tried and I LOVE it. Part of me is tempted to dabble into the drugstore versions to save on cost, but I think I'm hooked!
5. Clarisonic Mia 2 was definitely a splurge for me, but I can really tell a difference in my skin. I've been a long time lover of the Sonicare toothbrush, so when I learned the Clarisonic was made by the same company, I knew it had to be good! I have to admit, the hot pink version finally helped me pull the trigger after contemplating the purchase for a while.
6. Diorshow mascara. Amazing. I've actually tried all of the variations in the Dior line and the original is still my favorite. The extra large application brush creates false-looking long and lush lashes. 
7. Diorshow Maximizer adds a great layer of fullness to my mascara routine. I put this on first and can really tell a difference when I use it. It also helps your lashes grow over time, too! Bonus!
8. Fresh Cosmetics Sugar lip balm in Honey is my go-to lip treatment. It keeps my lips hydrated and soft while adding just a touch of nude tint. {I'll be back with another post soon on my favorite glosses, balms and lipsticks... Stay tuned.}

Perhaps my favorite tool of all is this "big" purchase:

I don't go a day without using the Trim Deluxe Eyelash Curler! I feel like curling my eyelashes makes me look awake and alive. And at a whopping $2, it's well worth it! I've been tempted in the past to try some of the more expensive eyelash curlers on the market, but why fix it if it's not broken? 

So there you have it... as long as I have clean hair, throw on a quick layer of BB cream to my Clarisonic-cleaned face, curl and plump my lashes and hydrate my pout, I'm pretty much set!