lips

SEPHORA SPRING SALE

Apr 23

If you know me at all, you know I can’t resist walking into Sephora as soon as I see it. (Okay honestly I pretty much run as soon as I see it.) Lucky for all of us, Sephora’s Spring Sale is back, BUT it ends today. I decided to round up some of my favorite or “must-have” products for you to snag before the sale ends tonight. Today is my 23rd birthday, so I had no shame clicking “add to cart” on a few items as a little birthday present to myself.

SOOO… HOW DOES IT WORK?

First off, you need to be a Beauty Insider to participate in the sale. You can sign up here. Once you sign up and have your items all in your cart, you’ll want to enter the code for which level Beauty Insider you are.

Beauty Insiders: 10% off everything with code YAYINSIDER

VIB: 15% off everything with code YAYVIB

Rouge: 15% off everything with code YAYROUGE

MY FAVORITES:

INVISIBOBBLE // These are my favorite hair ties! They look way cute in your hair and don’t leave a crimp.

KOPARI COCONUT BODY GLOW // I want anything and everything that will make me glow AND smell like a tropical paradise.

LAURA MERCIER TRANSLUCENT POWDER // I always need more powder. Always. #OilySkinProbs

NARS POWERMATTE LIP PIGMENT // This liquid lipstick does. not. budge. I have the shade “Get It On” because I’m incapable of resisting a cheeky color name.

ANASTASIA DIPBROW POMADE // This is the secret to amazing brows.

T3 HAIR DRYER // I have an older model of this hair dryer, but it’s made a HUGE difference in my hair. (aka I dislike washing my hair a little bit less now)

ANASTASIA GLOW KIT // Does anyone else want to bathe in highlight? Just me? Ok.

DR. DENNIS GROSS ALPHA BETA PEEL PADS // Every time I use these my skin feels BOMB. Read more about why you should get these here.

KATE SOMERVILLE EXFOLIKATE // I use this in the shower, turn the water heat all the way up (I enjoy burning my skin off it’s fine), and then enjoy the steam for a couple minutes before washing it off.

WHAT I BOUGHT:

SOL DE JANEIRO BRAZILIAN CRUSH FRAGRANCE MIST // I just wanna smell like summer all the time.

DR. JART ALL THAT CONTOURS SHEET MASK // I’ve heard this sheet mask is similar to getting Botox, so I will report back with results. Sidebar — I got Botox almost 2 months ago and I’m working on a post about that experience!

NARS CREAMY CONCEALER // This concealer has a cult following, and since I’m almost out of my beloved Tarte Shape Tape I decided I would give this a try.

ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR FOUNDATION // This is a repurchase for me! I love this foundation because it has great coverage but also feels super light.

If I had it my way, I would probably purchase just about everything during this sale. BUT I’ve done a little too much #treatyoself this month (birthday month so it’s justified?) so I had to limit myself a bit. Let me know what you’re picking up for yourself from the sale — be sure to hurry, it ends tonight!

SO I GOT MY LIPS FILLED

Jan 09

Okay, so, SURPRISE. I got lip fillers! Well, if you’ve seen me in the past few weeks that may not be much of a surprise to you. I made this impulsive decision just before Christmas. I moved my appointment to get a lip augmentation with Juvederm from a week ahead to the literal day after I decided I wanted my lips done right then.

Here’s the thing- when I decide I want to do something I want to do it now. Patience is not my strong suit when my mind is made.

I decided I wanted to blog this experience because I don’t know many people who have gotten a lip augmentation and was really curious about the process and what all to expect. So whether you’re curious too because you want to have your lips done also, or you think it’s weird and gross and just wanna know how things go, I’m here to tell you my experience.

My appointment was with Mara at the Med Physique in Austin. I ended up getting 3/4 syringe of Juvederm Ultra Plus injected, with 1/4 syringe saved for touch-ups later. I wanted to go for a full, natural look without looking like I stepped out of Real Housewives.

Full disclosure: I work for Allergan, the pharmaceutical company that makes Juvederm, which is why I chose this specific filler. Juvederm has a whole family of fillers used for different things. I honestly can’t tell you much about the different types, but Med Physique recommended Ultra Plus for volume so that’s what I went with.

Now you’re probably wondering what on earth is in these fillers and why I would agree to inject them into my lips. Juvederm is a hyaluronic acid gel. Hyaluronic acid is naturally occurring in your body, and you likely see it as an ingredient in some of your skincare products. Because of this, fillers like Juvederm aren’t permanent, and for lip augmentations can last up to 6 months depending on how your body metabolizes the hyaluronic acid. If you’re wanting to keep your lips nice and full, plan on getting injections around twice a year with a couple of touch-ups in between too.

And now you’re thinking… Does it hurt? Short answer: kinda. It doesn’t feel like rainbows and clouds and lollipops and everything sweet and nice that’s for sure. Mara numbed my lips with lidocaine prior to the injections and I could barely feel any part of my mouth for the actual injecting part. Of course, you can tell that something is being injected and you can feel pressure, but the injections themselves don’t hurt too much. The whole process from start to finish was really quick, only about 30 minutes.

Afterward… that’s a different story. It took around another 30 minutes for me to be able to feel my lips again to the touch, and even then there is lidocaine in the filler itself, so your lips will still feel a bit numb.

Let me be honest- this is when it starts to get painful. Not anything too bad, but definitely sore and uncomfortable. It’s like this for a few days, and your lips are very very swollen.

At around day 3 my lips weren’t as swollen anymore and just slightly sore. At 1 week later, they were only sore in two small places and just barely swollen there at all. I iced my lips the whole evening and next day after I got them done, and I think it made a huge difference. In all, it took about 2 weeks for the swelling to go down completely.

Overall, I’m extremely happy with how they turned out. They still look natural, where people who don’t know that I’ve had them done won’t think, “oh my god her lips are so fake.” Most people don’t even know I’ve had it done unless I tell them.

Would I do it again? I would consider it. I like the look right now, but I am glad that they’re not permanent so I can choose to not have them done again if I want to.

If you’re in Austin, I recommend going to Med Physique where I got mine done. If not, I would do some research on different dermatologists or medspas in your area and look at their before and after pictures to make sure their clients have a look you’re going for. A consultation is typically done to recommend how much to have injected and all of those details, so don’t stress too much about having it figured out ahead of time.

The whole process was incredibly easy and I’m glad that I ended up doing it. I was on the fence for a while and was worried about what people would think, but the bottom line is I’m happy with it and that’s what matters. If you want to get yours done too- I say go for it!

There’s a lot of stigmas that come with cosmetic procedures like this and I wanted to be upfront and real about it to try to break some of that down. I try my best to be an open book when it comes to blogging and kind of life in general. I never want to be that girl who acts like she can’t remember where she got her shoes from or won’t share her secrets. If there’s anything more you want to know about the process, feel free to ask!

I linked some hyaluronic acid products below, and I now take a hyaluronic acid supplement each day to help ensure the filler lasts as long as possible. Would you ever get lip injections, or what are your thoughts on it? I wanna know! xx

KYLIE COSMETICS METAL MATTES

May 23

I tried really hard not to get sucked into the hype, y’all. I tried. My first Kylie Cosmetics purchase was the Kourt K lip kit, which I ended up loving. Once I saw these metals, I knew I had to get my hands on them. So many people have asked me what I think of them, so I thought I would do a little review for you!

All three shades are very pigmented, and just one coat of product gives amazing color payoff. I’m completely obsessed with the metallic shine they all have, it’s gorgeous.

Heir is the lightest of the three, and has a sort of nude peach tone to the color. I really like wearing this one with Charlotte Tilbury Bitch Perfect lipstick underneath, because I’ve found it makes the color suit my skin tone better.

King K is a golden bronze color, and is probably my favorite of the three even though it’s a close call! I wear this one with Charlotte Tilbury Iconic Nude lip liner underneath.

Reign is the darkest, and is a bronze red color. The website describes it as copper, which it has some hints of, but I feel the undertone is far more red than anything. It also is much darker in person than it appears on the website, but a beautiful color nonetheless.

They’re also fairly long-lasting, although Heir didn’t seem to wear quite as long as the other two from what I found.

One of my favorite things about matte lipsticks is that they are usually fairly smudge proof and don’t transfer easily, but that is not the case with these. This is my main problem with this product. I don’t believe that they are a true matte lipstick, they definitely have more of a satin texture. They can be quite a bit sticky depending on how much product you use. I also wouldn’t say they are drying at all like some matte lipsticks can be, which is good.

If you don’t like scented makeup, you’ll probably have a problem with these. They have a decently strong, sweet smell. I wouldn’t say it smells bad, but I’m also not particularly fond of the smell either. I’m sure it’s used to cover up the sort of “chemical” smell that unscented liquid lipsticks sometimes have, I just find the scent to be too strong.

Overall, they’re not a perfect product, but I wasn’t necessarily expecting a perfect product either. I think the color and pigmentation of these lipsticks alone makes it worth it. I’ve found myself reaching for these three more than any other lip products since I’ve had them. They’re also amazing for layering with other lip products to create new and unique colors.

Bottom line: you need these in your makeup bag. Trust me.

Without flash – Top to bottom: Reign, King K, Heir

With flash – Left to Right: Heir, King K, Reign

Have you tried the Kylie Cosmetics metal mattes or any of her glosses or lip kits? Don’t forget to check out my Instagram, @thelipsticktales! There you can find pictures of how each of the lipsticks look on. Thank you so much for reading, check back Wednesday for another new post!

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?

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!

YSL Volupte Tint in Oil

Feb 16

I’m back, to talk about more oil. Or is it lip gloss? Or lip tint? What is this?

For all you lip product newbies, or for those of you who are looking for something effortless: I have found your perfect product. It is YSL’s new Volupte Tint in Oil.

What on earth is a tint in oil, you ask?

It’s defined as “A revolutionary lip color with a lip tint suspended in a deep conditioning oil.” Ok. What? It’s essentially a super moisturizing oil that also tints your lips. You apply it similar to a gloss, and the color develops as you wear it. It’s basically the easiest lip product ever since the color stays even after the glossiness of the oil has worn off. Just put it on and you don’t have to worry about reapplying for a while thanks to the “tint” part of “tint in oil.” Best part? There’s no stickiness like some lip glosses give, which is a huge pet peeve of mine. The formula is very smooth and fluid like you would expect an oil to be, but it’s not runny because the applicator is precise.

There are 8 colors in the collection and all are very wearable. Some are lighter, some are brighter. I picked up #4 I Rose You (right in picture) and #6 Peach Me Love (left in picture). I Rose You is a lighter pink, that looks pretty much clear when you apply it. It does develop into a subtle pink as it’s worn though and looks very natural. Peach Me Love is one of the brighter colors from the collection, and it is a peachy-coral color. This one is much brighter than I Rose You and more color shows immediately upon application. I’m a huge fan of orange-y hues so I can already tell that Peach Me Love is my favorite of the two. The colors are also pretty sheer, so I would recommend going with the brighter colors available.

I think these are perfect if you don’t really wear lip products and aren’t quite ready to jump into bold lipsticks just yet, or if you just want something easy for everyday. What do you think? Have you tried any product similar to this? Happy Monday & thanks for reading!

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SOOO… HOW DOES IT WORK?

MY FAVORITES:

WHAT I BOUGHT:

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