Hunter, Author at VITAL BLONDE

THE BEAUTY LOVER TAG

Mar 15

I recently read a post on this tag done by Beti of makeup-sessions, and decided I would share my answers as well! I’ve loved makeup and all things beauty for as long as I can remember, so I felt this tag was very fitting for me. 🙂

If you could have anyone in the world do your makeup, who would it be?

Probably Tanya Burr! I’ve always loved watching her videos on YouTube and amazed at her ability to recreate looks.

What’s your top makeup tip?

Use more than one mascara! My lashes are naturally pretty long but just one mascara doesn’t do them justice. I always layer at least two mascaras. Lately I’ve been using three- this one first, then this one, and finish off with this one.

What one makeup item could you not live without?

Mascara for sure! I won’t leave the house without at least mascara on. I’m obsessive about my lashes, I probably spend almost half of my time doing my makeup just on mascara. That’s probably an exaggeration, but you get the point.

What one skincare item could you not live without?

Do oil blotting sheets count? I use WAY too many of those! If not, definitely moisturizer. Recently I’ve fallen in love with this Kate Somerville one. It’s great if you have oily skin like I do.

What are you worst at when it comes to applying makeup?

Brows, I feel like they never look even! Getting the wings of my eyeliner can be tricky some days too, but I almost always struggle with my brows. I hate when they look too thick or too sharp, I probably spend far too much time trying to make them look natural.

What’s your biggest pet peeve when it comes to beauty?

I’m all for wearing your makeup however it makes you feel most confident! For me personally, I hate when my face is lighter than the rest of my body. My face is almost always several shades lighter without makeup, so I have to be sure to match my foundation really well.

What’s your guilty pleasure product?

If you couldn’t guess by the name of this blog, it’s lipstick. I can’t say no to a good lipstick, I want them all.

What’s your underdog product?

I feel like NARS eyeshadows don’t always get enough credit, and they’re my favorite! The “Kalahari” duo is my go-to and I love pairing it with Coconut Grove. This palette is such a great starter for NARS shadows, it’s what got me hooked on them!

What’s your favorite makeup product of 2015?

This is definitely a tough one, so I’m gonna go with two products. 1. My Anastasia Contour palette, which I bought a little over a year ago and is now almost completely empty. And 2. The NARS lip gloss in “Sixties Fan,” it looks so dark in the tube but wears so natural! I got it for my Aunt for Christmas and she’s obsessed with it too.

I tag any and all of you reading! Be sure to link back to me if you post the tag so I can read all your responses too. Thank you so much for reading!

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Top High End Foundations

Mar 11

I get a LOT of questions on what face makeup I use, and a lot of times it varies by the day! I’m a huge advocate of using high-end makeup on your face, because I always want the very best on my skin. Here are my top 3 foundations that I wear on rotation.

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet

I absolutely love this foundation, and I wear shade B40. It makes my skin look completely flawless, and feels like there’s nothing on my skin. It can be hard to find a foundation that sits just right on oily skin, considering most just kind of slip off. This foundation has such a strange consistency (it seems SO runny!) but works perfectly on normal to oily skin. I definitely would not recommend this one to anyone with remotely dry skin, and if that’s you, try this one instead! But for most days, this is my go-to! Keep in mind too, a little bit goes a long way with this product.

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue

If you don’t like a heavy foundation, this is the one for you. It’s pretty similar to a tinted moisturizer, but the consistency is almost a bit more like a gel. I typically prefer a little bit more coverage out of a foundation than this gives, but it’s also buildable, so you can get more coverage out of it if you want to. I didn’t think that I was going to like this foundation at all because it’s marketed more to dry skin types, but I’ve found it really works well for all skin! Sometimes oily/combo skin overproduces oil because of a lack of moisture, and this product really ensures your skin gets the moisture it needs. Another great thing about this product is that the color range is very forgiving and relatively easy to find the right match. I have both buttercream and ginger, and I’ve found that both shades can be blended to match my skin well.

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD

This is the newest foundation that I’ve tried. I heard so many good things about it that I thought I’d give it a try, and I wound up loving it! The shade range has a TON of colors, so no one should have a problem finding the right match. I wear shade 123/Y365. HD foundations were developed to make your skin look amazing on camera, and I can promise you that it does just that! I’ve been wearing this pretty much everyday, and my only complaint is that it doesn’t seem to wear as well as the day goes on. (If your skin isn’t as oily as mine you might not have this problem though!) Definitely be sure to moisturize well and prime before using this foundation. I’ve found it does look best in the first few hours of wear, so that’s just something to keep in mind.

Have you tried any of these foundations? Let me know which are your favorites in the comments!

Back to Blogging

Mar 08

photo via theyallhateus

Almost 8 months is far too long. I’m back, and I’m here to stay this time! The past few months I’ve been a little uninspired, but I have missed blogging so much. So, for those of you who have begged me for makeup advice and for my tips and tricks, your wish is granted! I’m so excited about the posts that I have in the works and all of the little things I will be sharing with all of you.

My goal is to get into the routine of posting three times a week- Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I’ve also created an Instagram specific to The Lipstick Tales where I’ll be featuring daily posts of little snippets of my life, so be sure to follow me there!

For those of you who have been here the start, thank you so much for continuing to read along. If this is your first time here at The Lipstick Tales, take a look around, and visit here to see why I started this blog. I can’t wait for any of you to see what I have in store!

Summer Hair

Jul 09

photo taken by Hunter Wuensche

I’ve teamed up with my favorite hair stylists to bring you the last part of my summer series, summer hair! I asked three stylists that I’ve trusted with my locks over the years what their must-have products for summer are, and these are their responses!

Photo courtesy of Alyssa McCurdy

Alyssa McCurdy, ONE TWO ZERO Salon in Cypress, Texas

Her Must-Haves: Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream | Moroccanoil Hairspray | Living Proof No Frizz Humidity Shield

Alyssa’s first pick is the Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream. “I put it in right before I blow dry my hair while still damp, and it smoothes out flawlessly when I blow dry,” she says.

Alyssa loves the Moroccanoil Hairspray “because it has just the right amount of hold for a little bit of added volume without weighing my hair down especially with me not washing [my hair] everyday!” (Alyssa got me hooked on this hairspray, it smells amazing!)

Alyssa calls her final must-have, Living Proof No Frizz Humidity Shield, a “miracle in a can.” She advises to use it after hairspray, as your final product. “It holds your style throughout the day while blocking humidity which can make it fall or frizz,” she says. Perfect for humid summer weather here in Texas!

Alyssa has been cutting my hair since high school, and the updo she gave me for prom junior year has by far been my favorite! Your hair is in good hands with her, promise.

Photo courtesy of Chris Jeffcote

Chris Jeffcote, Blue Mambo in Houston, Texas

His Must-Haves: Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray and Surf Infusion | Raha Vital Restore Conditioner

Chris says he tells his clients who have wavy hair to use Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray and Surf Infusion to “create easy manageable styles.” He also advises clients who do a lot more to their hair (color, bleaching, hot tools, etc.) to use Raha Vital Restore Conditioner. Chris says he likes it for protection against sun exposure and for daily upkeep.

Chris has been coloring my hair since high school. He’s given me every color from blonde to black (and even red!) and it’s perfect every time. Seriously, if you want amazing color, go see Chris!

Photo courtesy of Angela Spenrath

Angela Spenrath, The Haven on Main in Tomball, Texas

Her Must-Have: It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product

Angela calls this her “number one go-to for every season.” (I have to say it’s mine too!) “With sun exposure, salt water and chlorine, you will find that your hair will start in to lighten up more so than during the winter months and you will also be at greater risk for breakage,” she says. “With ‘It’s a 10‘ it helps to seal the cuticle and prevent lightening of the hair do to UV.” Angela also says that It’s a 10 will help prevent breakage and keep your hair hydrated, which is very important in the summer.

I feel like I’ve known Angela for as long as I can remember, and I couldn’t even tell you when she started doing my hair. She was the one who cut off ten inches of my hair to donate, and she even fixed my sixth grade pink hair disaster. She’s a miracle worker for that one! Cut, color, style, you name it, Angela can do it.

Thank you so much for reading! What are you favorite summer hair products?

Summer Lips

Jul 02

Happy July, friends! I can’t believe that June is already over, where does the time go? Today I’m sharing the 2nd part of my summer series, my favorite summer lip products. Although I have a tendency to wear the same colors throughout the year, there are some that definitely fit better in the summer. I picked my top five, and lately I’ve been wearing these on rotation!

MAC “Please Me”

This lipstick is my perfect everyday pink. It’s bright, but not too bright. This color goes with everything, which is what makes it perfect throw on for lazy summer days. It has a matte finish, so I always wear a gloss on top. I’m always wary of matte finishes in the summer because they can feel dry, but with a gloss this one has the perfect texture.

NARS “Heat Wave”

This is the perfect summer red. It’s warm toned, which gives it that vibrant almost-coral look. Surprisingly enough, this one is also a matte finish, but I have less of a problem with it being drying than the MAC mattes. The color is outstanding though, and looks perfect with a tan!

Charlotte Tilbury “Nude Kate”

I’ve said this before, but I had never really tried a true nude lipstick before this one. I love that the color doesn’t wash you out, who wants that for summer?! The color is inspired by Kate Moss, as the name suggests, and I always think she has the perfect look for summer!

NARS “Sixties Fan”

In the bottle, this color looks scary dark. However, when it’s applied it is actually extremely wearable. It’s a sort of pomegranate color that warms up your skin and is super easy to throw on with any outfit. My roommate is always stealing this one from me (looking at you, Rachel!) but I can’t blame her, the color is amazing!

MAC “Razzledazzler”

This color has probably been my most worn lately. It’s a light orange, which is a pretty scary color for most people who aren’t used to orange lipsticks. Something about the color just screams summer to me, probably because it reminds me of a dreamsicle! I wear Laura Mercier “Nectar” Lip Glacé over this one for a glossy finish, which is my favorite in the summer.

Thanks so much for reading! What are your favorite summer lip products?

Summer Nails

Jun 25

one | two | three | four | five

Although here in Texas it feels like summer for half of the year, it is now officially summer! With summer comes a lot of my favorite trends, and I’m going to be breaking them down for you in a three part series over the next few weeks. Up first is summer nails, and I’ve rounded up my five favorites.

1. Jin Soon “Charme”

I can’t even tell you how long I’ve been lusting after this color. Chartreuse has recently become a favorite color of mine, and I have yet to find another polish come close to this color. Bright colors are always a hit for summer, and this polish definitely meets the mark.

2. Essie Silk Watercolor

This polish is such a cool new concept. The polishes are formulated to act like watercolor, making it easier to create simple yet gorgeous nail art. All of the colors in the line look wonderful, and I will be picking up a couple to try my hand at the look.

3. Christian Louboutin Scarabée in “1”

This polish may have a ridiculous price point, but it makes up for it in looks. The line is inspired by the scarab beetle, as the name suggests, and features three colored metallic polishes. The color “1” is my favorite, and it is a rose gold hue.

4. NARS “Thasos”

No summer nail polish collection is complete without the perfect mint blue polish. The color makes me feel like I should be laying out on an island somewhere. Since that’s not what I’m doing, I’ll paint my nails this color and daydream about it instead.

5. Olivia Palermo for Ciaté in “Off Duty Nude-Sundays”

Although summer is traditionally associated with bright colors, a nude polish can be perfectly fitting as well. It’s natural and fuss-free, just like summer. Plus, if I can make any part of me look like Olivia Palermo, I’ll take it. 😉

Thanks so much for reading! Which polishes are your favorite for summer?

Wednesday Wishes

Jun 10

Romper | Ring | Tote | Candle | Sandals

So this week’s Wednesday Wishes is kind of a hodge podge… no real theme here for this one like I’ve had in the past! I picked out a few things that I’ve found myself lusting after lately.

ASTR Cold Shoulder Surplice Romper

I love rompers. Unfortunately, I only own 1. They’re so easy to throw on with some jewelry and you look incredibly put together with little effort. I’ve been searching for one that’s fun for summer, and I absolutely love this one.

Samantha Wills Bohemian Bardot Ring

I need this ring. I know what you’re thinking. No Hunter, a ring is not a need. But really, it’s gorgeous and my jewelry box is lacking in the rings department. Honestly, all of Samantha Wills jewelry is beautiful, and the Bohemian Bardot ring is at the top of my list.

Rebecca Minkoff Medium MAB Tote

I think I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again. Rebecca Minkoff is hands down my favorite handbag designer. I literally want every single bag she makes. This one’s been on my radar for a while, I just need to go ahead and bite the bullet and get it!

Voluspa Saijo Persimmon Candle

If you’ve never smelled a Voluspa candle before, you’re doing your nose a disservice. Every scent smells wonderful, and these candles aren’t ridiculously priced. (Sorry, Diptyque, I can’t yet justify $60 for a candle!) I think this one is great for summer, and I’ll be picking it up soon.

Kate Spade Alex Fringe Sandals

Fringe is a major trend right now, and I’m liking it best on sandals! I love that these have several color options all great for summer.

Thanks for reading! What’s on your wishlist for summer? Let me know 🙂

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Best of High End Brands

Jun 09

After reading Sarah’s post on her favorite high end products, I was inspired to do my own! I tried to pick brands that had a lot of products that I loved, so it would be challenging to pick my absolute favorite. I tried to think of it as, “If I could only buy one thing from this brand, what would it be?” So without further ado, here’s my best of high end brands:

Charlotte Tilbury – The Rock Chick Eyeshadow Palette. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I was to try Charlotte Tilbury’s products. They’re all absolutely amazing. I have a tendency to to navigate towards gold and bronze hued eyeshadows, yet I love the look of a perfect grey smoky eye. This palette allows you to create that look and is also wearable for day and night.

Chanel – Perfection Lumiere Velvet Foundation. My holy grail foundation. It makes my skin look flawless and airbrushed. It’s lightweight and also helps to mattify my skin since it’s made for normal to oily skin. If your skin is normal to dry, try the Vitalumiere Aqua foundation.

YSL – Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick. This lipstick is incredibly buttery and smooth. It also stays moisturized and not dried out with long wear. I have the color Rose Libertin, which is a light lilac-pink. Definitely picking up another color soon!

NARS – Lip Gloss in Sixties Fan. Picking my favorite NARS product was especially hard. I love pretty much everything by NARS that I’ve tried. They have fairly recently revamped the formula of their lip glosses and they are 1000x better- not sticky whatsoever. This color is my favorite because it is unique and also much more wearable than you would think. Your lips will always look perfectly stained with this gloss.

Benefit – Roller Lash Mascara. Benefit is killing the mascara game. Roller Lash and They’re Real are by far my favorite mascaras ever. I will not leave the house without at least 1 coat of mascara on and I almost always use more than one mascara in my makeup routing. They beauty of Roller Lash though, is that I don’t have to. My lashes look perfect with just this mascara alone!

Bobbi Brown – Creamy Concealer Kit. I’m a college student. Sleep isn’t always so easy to come by, which leads to horrendous dark circles. This concealer makes them disappear. It packs on the coverage because it’s creamy, and also has a setting powder right next to it to ensure that it doesn’t budge the whole day. If you’ve got bad dark circles, this product will be your BFF.

What are your favorite high end brands & products? I wanna know!

May Favorites

Jun 08

Happy Monday everyone! Today I wanted to share with you my May favorites. I cannot believe that it’s already June! We’re almost halfway through with 2015, and if that’s not weird to you then I don’t know what is. I didn’t pick up a tremendous amount of new products this month, but I loved the ones that I did. Here are my favorites of the past month:

1. Elizabeth and James Nirvana White

This has been my most reached for perfume lately. I have the rollerball, which I love because it’s so easy to through in my purse and take with me in case I need a little pick me up throughout the day. It’s a sophisticated scent that’s great for daytime wear.

2. MAC Blush in Full of Joy

I picked up this blush because I really wanted a color that was very different from other blushes I have. It’s a lilac color, which sounds really out there, but I’m telling you it’s gorgeous. I get so many compliments every time I wear this blush, and I love how different it is.

3. Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Nude Kate

Prepare yourself here. I went a little crazy at the Charlotte Tilbury counter in Nordstrom and I have no regrets. Looking for the foolproof nude lip? This is it. I was so afraid of trying nude lipstick before this one, because I was afraid it would wash me out. This one definitely does not.

4. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Iconic Nude

Lip liner has gained the credit it deserves lately, most likely thanks to Kylie Jenner. I never really saw it necessary before, but it really does help shape your lips so they’re impeccable. Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat makes this SO easy, and this color goes perfectly with the Nude Kate lipstick.

5. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre in Blondie

This lip gloss is the finishing touch to the nude pout. I love lip gloss, and I can’t stand when the formula is sticky. This one glides on like a breeze and looks gorgeous over any color – not just nude!

6. Charlotte Tilbury The Rock Chick Eyeshadow Palette

If you couldn’t already tell by the 3 previous favorites, I’m obsessed with Charlotte Tilbury’s Rock Chick look. Makeup that will make me look like Kate Moss or Brigitte Bardot? Sign me up! This palette achieves that smoky look without being overpowering.

What products have you been loving lately? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading, enjoy your Monday!

Melt Proof Makeup

Jun 03

The most asked question I’ve had lately from my friends is, “How do I get my makeup to stay in place?” Living in Texas, makeup can easily sort of “melt off” especially in the summer months. No one wants to have re-apply makeup throughout the day, but you also don’t want to use heavy products that will just weigh you down in the heat. Of course, I definitely don’t wear makeup every day in the summer, but when I do I want it to stay put. I’ve rounded up my best tips so you can have melt proof makeup this summer.

1. Prime.

Priming everything is essential to keeping your makeup in place. Start with clean, moisturized skin. I tend to opt for a gel moisturizer like First Aid Beauty Mattifying Gel or Boscia Black Hydration Gel since I have oily skin, and this is great for normal skin in the summer too. You’ll then want to use an all over face primer. Becca Ever Matte Poreless Priming Perfector has been my favorite lately. It’s got kind of a strange consistency, it starts off kind of sticky but then just dissolves perfectly into your skin. Also be sure to use an eye primer before applying any eyeshadow.

2. Foundation.

I love lightweight foundations in general, but they’re essential in the summer. Who wants full coverage heavy foundation when it’s over 100 degrees out? Not me! Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue and Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet are the ones I find myself reaching for most when it’s hot outside. They’re lightweight but still provide great coverage. If you can’t separate yourself from your favorite full coverage foundation, I suggest adding a little bit of moisturizer to keep it from being heavy in the heat.

3. Powder.

Powdering will not only help set your makeup, but also help prevent any unwanted shine that you might gain throughout the day in the heat. Over-powdering is traditionally a no-no, but in the case of the Texas heat you will most likely want to. The powder will be absorbed throughout the day preventing shine without making you look dull. I love this powder, and it’s universal!

4. Bronze.

What’s summer without bronze skin? If you fake tan like me, chances are your face is at least 3 shades lighter than the rest of your body and bronzer is your BFF. I love matte bronzers so that I can contour just a little while getting an all over glow. This one is my go-to, and this palette is amazing as well.

5. Blush.

I love using cream blushes in the summer. They’ll absorb into your skin and you can’t necessarily sweat it off like you could a powder blush. This one by Josie Maran is my favorite. It provides 14 hours of color and it’s moisturizing. Seriously, it feels amazing on your skin – no sticky feeling whatsoever. I love that the color is buildable, so I never end up with too much color.

6. Lips.

It’s no secret that I love lipstick. However, lipstick can feel a bit heavy on a hot day. I always find myself reaching for lip stains like this one, or one of YSL’s Glossy Stains. The also just came out with this line of “Pop Water” stains that I’m dying to try. This way you get the lip color that’s suited for summer!

7. Set.

The biggest trick to keeping your makeup in place? Setting spray. Urban Decay’s De-slick does the trick for me. My bottle has lasted me forever – you can tell since it’s still the old packaging. This one will keep your makeup lasting all day, even in the summer heat. I spray my face with it after completely finishing my makeup, but for extra staying power, I’ll spray my face before too as a sort of primer.

And that’s it! Following those tips will ensure that your makeup will stay in place all day, even in the heat. I hope these are useful to you, thanks so much for reading! Do you have any favorite products suited for summer? Let me know in the comments! 🙂

P. S. Texas girls prepping for sorority recruitment in August, these tips and oil blotting sheets will be your lifesaver!

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