Go-to Everyday Summer Makeup Look Products

Since it's summertime, I don't wear makeup every day. But on days when I do feel like wearing makeup, there are several products I reach for that are great for putting together a quick, neutral summery look. 

elf Eyebrow Kit 

In my opinion, defining your eyebrows is a really quick, simple step that can really transform how you look. Brows frame the eyes and the rest of the face, so filling them can help pull everything together. This brow kit has a darker gel and a lighter setting powder which makes it easy to sort of customize the color to whatever color brows you have. The gel also helps keep the brow hairs in place. 

Sonia Kashuk Confidential Concealer 

I picked this concealer up fairly recently, needing a concealer for touch-ups throughout the day. At first, I didn't like it very much, but I found that it works nicely under the eyes and on redness on my face. Liquid concealers are sort of hit-or-miss for me, and this one has pretty nice coverage and doesn't settle into lines. It also comes with a brightening pencil on the other end that can work nicely as an inner-corner highlight in a pinch.

Stila Sun-Gel Gel Bronzant 

I got this product in a set from Stila, and I think it's now discontinued, but there are comparable products from Clarins and a few other brands I believe. I know I have mentioned this in a post before, but I really love it for the summertime! I usually mix my foundation or BB cream with a little dab of this gel to get an all-over sunkissed look.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in RSVP

I have loved this cream eyeshadow for a long time, in fact, I use it year round. But, it's especially great in the summer because it's quick and easy to apply and lasts all day. True to it's name, this cream eyeshadow will not crease at all! This glowy pink-champagne shade is also really gorgeous and a perfect summer color.

L'oreal HIP Concentrated Shadow Duo in Shady

I use this shadow duo combined with the Benefit eyshadow above. These two shades are matte and therefore perfect for the crease of the eye! I use a fluffy crease brush to sweep the lighter shade in the crease, and then concentrate the darker shade in the outer corner. These shades are both well pigmented and apply smoothly and blend easily--great quality for a drugstore eyeshadow duo. 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Bourbon

The most common problem I have with makeup in the summer is smudging. So I need to have a pretty kick-a** eyeliner, if you will, to stay in place and keep from smudging and smearing everywhere. Although Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes does just as well in the non-smudging department, I feel that the warm, shimmery brown shade of this Urban Decay Pencil is a great summer color. As you can tell, I've worked this one down to almost a stub. 

Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof Mascara

Another product that MUST be immune to smudges is mascara. If I'm going to be out in the sun or swimming, waterproof mascara is crucial. I have been raving about the Falsies because it gives so much volume and length...and the waterproof version holds a curl and lasts all day. (Check out my full review of the Falsies)

Stila Mango Crush Lip and Cheek Stain

Another product I have raved about in previous posts, this stain gives a gorgeous coral flush to the cheeks. And since it's a stain, the color lasts all day, even through sweat and swimming! It works well on the lips as well, but I find it especially flattering sheered out on the apples of the cheeks. 

Revlon Colorburst Lip gloss in Peony

And finally, for lips, I have been loving this peachy pink shade. It leaves a very high shine finish to the lips that doesn't feel sticky or too tacky. This color really lights up the face, especially with the gold shimmer in the gloss. It's the perfect finishing touch to a summer look, and looks fantastic on bronzed skin.

Thanks for reading! Leave your thoughts or requests for other posts in the comments below!

Maybelline SuperStay 10 Hour Stain Gloss in Fresh Fuchsia Review & Swatches!

The SuperStay 10 Hour Stain Glosses are a fairly new addition to Maybelline's line (I believe they launched this spring). To me, they are an exciting concept, but they don't seem to have received that much hype from the beauty community, even when they were first released. Even so, being easily allured by new, fascinating products, I picked up one when they were on sale for $5.99 at Rite Aid (their retail value is $8.99 according to Maybelline's website). 

These glosses are described by Maybelline as glosses with a shine-enhancing formula and lightweight color. Here is the product claim:

Lasting color. Vibrant sheen. 
Meet the first-ever 10HR stain gloss. 
Shine enhancing formula glides on lightweight color that won't dry out. 

 The first 10HR Stain Gloss:

• Vibrant and shiny wear; never flat

• Feels fresh all day, never dry.

• Glides on wet and smooth, never drags

• Shine enhancing formula provides a lightweight layer of lasting color

• 10 long-lasting shades 

To me, that seems like a lot of repetition. In short, they are supposed to deliver shiny, vibrant color that lasts for 10 hours.

Let's take a look at some swatches.

Below are one coat of product and three coats respectively. The color is a very bright, slightly berry-toned pink fuchsia. It is true to the claim that the color glides on easily, and it's not difficult to build up the intensity. I wouldn't say the finish it gives is truly "shiny," but more of a slightly glossy sheen. The sheen also fades away fairly quickly, which isn't quite true to the claim. 

One of the unique features of this product is the applicator. It has a fairly long, skinny wand, and a sort of rounded, squishy doe foot applicator. If you look closely, you can see that there is a small indentation in the center of the applicator. The product collects here and is absorbed into the fibers so that when you put it on, it's easy to get a thick, even application of the product on the lips with just one layer. 

Like most stains, the product feels a little drying on the lips, even with the gloss aspect. It can also tend to look patchy on drier areas of the lips, so I suggest applying a lip balm before applying the stain gloss. It does not interfere with the application, although I can tell that it affects the staying power slightly. As far as the staying power itself, I can't back up the 10 hour claim...the color definitely wears off by six or seven hours, but really it depends on how much you rub your lips together, eat, drink and factors like that. I will say that this product does do a fantastic job of staying put and not transferring color. I applied a full coat of color, waited about 20 minutes, and then "kissed" my hand and was pleasantly surprised to find that the color did not transfer at all! And the appearance of the product on my lips remained unchanged. 

This shade is pretty bright and dramatic for my skin tone, so I think it would be more suited for a night out look than a daytime look. However, I found that dabbing a little bit on my lips and blending it in and blotting gives the most gorgeous "just bitten" flush. Below are photos of the color on the lips (top: full color, bottom: blended and blotted with lip balm on top).

In my opinion, this product isn't necessarily a must-have, especially if you prefer more wearable colors for daytime, but if the "stain gloss" idea appeals to you, it might be worth it to pick up one of the bright shades and try it out.

DIY: fix cracked makeup

I've been wanting to try this DIY for a very long time now and I finally tried it! The results turned out really good but at the same time, I noticed some changes in the texture and color, which were disappointing but in the long run, I am very pleased.

Materials:

• Alcohol
• Something to crush the makeup with (preferably the end of a big brush)
• tissues (not necessary but will come in handy!)

'

  

The blush to begin with. 

As you can see it's really messy and the packaging is dirty, so I cleaned it up and put the blush crumbles back in the tray.

Start breaking all of the crumbles and what is not yet completely crushed with the end of the brush.

Next, compress the blush down into the tray. I used my clean fingers at some points because it was a lot easier.

Last, put drops of alcohol in the blush and make sure it completely covers the whole surface. 

I hope it comes in handy! 

Bright Lipstick: Revlon "Love That Pink"

I have been on the search for a bright lipstick for quite a while now, and today I finally came across Love That Pink by Revlon. It's from their Super Lustrous line (which I love a lot), and it's a creme finish. I would describe it as a bright, crisp, coral toned pink. In my opinion, it looks a little bit like MAC Impassioned, but a little less intense, and more on the warm side. 

I purchased this lipstick at Target for $5. 

I find the formula of this lipstick to be very moisturizing and lightweight on the lips. It does not settle into lines or feel drying. However, since it is very creamy, it has a tendency to slip a little bit outside of the lip line, so I would advise using lip liner with this lipstick.



I love the color and finish of this lipstick. It complements my skin tone quite nicely, as well. I think it would be gorgeous on a variety of skin tones, especially people with warmer skin.

This color is perfect for spring and summer! I would definitely wear it for a night out or even in the daytime for a pop of color. 

Natural Lips

Revlon "Love That Pink"

Natural Lighting Swatch

Flash Swatch

Rockstar Ransom: An Enhancing Eye Look (Feat. UD 24/7)

I wanted to show you guys this eye look I wore today--it features two of my favorite colored eyeliners: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on eye pencils in Ransom and Rockstar. They're both purple, but different shades.

For this look, all I did was line Ransom thicker and smudge it out, then put Rockstar closer to the lashline. Then, I added a shimmery eyeshadow in the inner corner and lined my waterline with white eyeliner to really help my eyes pop. Finally, I topped the look off with the Falsies mascara by Maybelline.

I have hazel eyes, so these gorgeous purples really enhance my eye color and make my eyes stand out.

Ransom is a bright, iridescent violet purple with a blue-ish duochrome.

Rockstar is a darker, more plum/eggplant color with brown-ish and burgundy undertones and some shimmer.

Natural lighting:

Flash lighting:

The 24/7 liners go on so smoothly and easily, and have really great staying power, not to mention the fact that they have tons of gorgeous shades. They retail for $19 from Sephora or www.urbandecay.com

Hope you enjoyed this post! Tell us your favorite eyeliners in the comments below!