Rock That Red!! 11 Red Lipsticks to Wear: High End and Drugstore Brands...

Hey Everyone!!

It's no secret that I love red lipstick! I've done a handful of posts featuring red lipsticks and glosses over the years that proves that point. lol!  Anyway, I'm sharing my all time favorite red lipsticks with you. I'm more of a red lipstick wearer than a red gloss wearer because I like the  opaqueness of lipstick. Plus at the end of this post, I will list some of my favorite red lipstick video and tips: how to pick a red, apply it and rock it!

 My favorite red lipsticks are a mix of drugstore and high end......

 ~High End~

(left to right)

MAC Riri Woo

tarte Glamazon Lipstick in Fierce

tarte Glamazon Lipstick in Wild

Laura Mercier Red Amour

Nars Jungle Red

 (left to right)

MAC Riri Woo

tarte Glamazon Lipstick in Fierce

tarte Glamazon Lipstick in Wild

Laura Mercier Red Amour

Nars Jungle Red

 ~Drugstore~

(left to right)

Milani Red Label

L'Oreal Infalliable in Beyonce's Red

Cover Girl Hot

Rimmel Show Off in Big Bang

e.l.f. Matte Lipstick in Rich Red

Kate by Rimmel Lipstick in Kiss of Life #111

~Drugstore~

(left to right)

Milani Red Label

L'Oreal Infalliable in Beyonce's Red

Cover Girl Hot

Rimmel Show Off in Big Bang

e.l.f. Matte Lipstick in Rich Red

Kate by Rimmel Lipstick in Kiss of Life #111

~Tips~

-I don't pick a red lipstick based on a skin under tone, like blue based reds or orange based reds. I just eyeball it and know what I like. If you are looking to pick a red lipstick based on skin undertones( cool, warm, or neutral undertones), This VIDEO is chocked full of info on that.

-Matte red lipsticks are my favorite texture but known for being dry. Apply lip balm first then lightly blot it off so that your lips are moisturized but not disturbing the actually texture of the lipstick.

-If a red lipstick is too glossy, I lightly blot with a tissue then apply a dab of translucent powder on top to bring down the shine.

-If you are afraid of wearing red lipstick, start slow with a red gloss or apply a red lipstick lightly, so that you have more of a stain of color, than full on color, and work up from there. EVERY WOMAN can wear red lipstick, you just have to use patience to find your shade!!!

Let me know your favorite red lipstick in the comments

Disclosure: Some of the products listed were sent to me for consideration for review. I was not paid for this post and all views and opinions are honest.

~DIY Clay Mask for Oily Skin~

Hey Everyone!

I have a wonderful recipe for a mask that helps control oily skin, especially during the summer. I saw this on Pinterest and a couple of other online places so I can't take the recipe as my own. However, this DIY Clay Mask works wonders on oily skin and on blemishes as a spot treatment.

 There are only TWO simple ingredients: Apple Cider Vinegar and Bentonite Clay or "Indian Healing Clay". You can buy ACV at any grocery store and the Bentonite Clay is available at most health food stores, specialty grocery stores, and online.

 I started with a bowl, a spoon ( no metal spoons), ACV, and Bentonite Clay....

 I measured just enough for my face and neck. That's about three spoonfuls of ACV....

 Then, two spoonfuls of Bentonite Clay. The mixture will start to bubble as you mix them together.

 It will be a creamy looking mess when its all mixed together!

I applied the mask and let it dry completely. You can feel the mask working, it pulls the skin tight, so tight, you will not be able to move. lol! If that's uncomfortable, just used a thinner layer of mask.

I rinsed with lukewarm water to remove the mask. My skin felt smooth and clean. This mask is best used after you have cleansed your skin of all makeup and exfoliated with your favorite scrub. I will say that I'm not as oily as I have been in the past after using this DIY mask for a couple months along with my regular skin routine. I also make a tiny batch for my pimples when I feel a pimple under my skin before it becomes an eruption.

If you have serious skin issues, please consult your doctor or dermatologist before using this method.

Good Luck!!

Oh Hell No!!!! Beauty Product Misses and No Ways!!!!

Hey Everyone!!

Listen, as much as a love makeup, there are some products that shouldn't leave the shelves, let alone the company's laboratories.  As Kid Fury would say, "Trash!".

These products didn't make the cut for me.  Check it out.....

**Disclaimer** This products did not work for me. ME. Jamie. Rural Glamour. Your favorite cousin. Try and buy at your own risk.

 These N.Y.C. Bronzers and Face Powders were entirely to light. I wish I had kept the receipt.

 These Sally Hansen Sugar Coats look like bubbling polish on my nails. I see so many nail art variations of them that look great but without any shimmer, they just look nasty.

 Kiss I-Envy glue doesn't hold well, Kleancolor liquid liner was too dry even though I liked the felt tip and Rimmel Glam Eyes Day 2 Night, there was no difference in the Volume application and the length application on my lashes.

 I love the original powder formula of tarte Park Ave Princess Bronzer but the liquid formula is too light and chalky. The design of the tube with the blush on the end made it messy to use too.

Even though the pigment is STUNNING on these $1 L.A. Colors eyeshadows, they are a pain to store. All three of these shadows were in a plastic container with a few lipglosses and were broken within a week.

Any of these products your favorites?!?!? LOL! I'm serious....let me know in the comments.:))

Disclosure: Product was sent to me for consideration of review. All views are honest and I was not paid for this post.

All About Orange! My Favorite Affordable Orange Lipsticks....

Hey Everyone!

A couple of weeks ago, MAC releases a collection of orange lipsticks that had me thinking about my own collection of orange lippies. I do have few to chose from!! All of the colors are affordable except one high end shade. Check out my favorite lipsticks from my stash!!

 (left to right) Revlon Coral Berry, NK Firecracker, Wet N' Wild 24 Carrot Gold, Tarte Timeless, Rimmel Kate 110, Milani Sweet Nectar, and NK Orange Tint.

 Here are some swatches in order from the picture above.....

(left to right) Revlon Coral Berry, NK Firecracker, Wet N' Wild 24 Carrot Gold, Tarte Timeless

( left to right) Rimmel Kate 110, Milani Sweet Nectar, and NK Orange Tint

What are your favorite orange lipsticks or lip colors??

Disclosure: Product(s) were sent to me for review consideration. All views and opinions are my own. I was not paid for this post.

~DIY At Home Shellac/Gel Nails For Under $10~ Does It Work?

Hey Everyone!

I love the concept of gel nails and shellac nails but I have never had any done professionally because I will not paid to have them done. I've heard of people getting gel nail polish applied that costs as much as a new set of acrylic nails. Nope. Plus, the whole process just seems simple enough to do...at home.:)

I came across this pin on Pinterest about a DIY Shellac or Gel Nail Hack" using two Sally Hansen polishes and a regular polish. The trio is suppose to last just as long as shellac polish does without a lamp.

You know I went right out....and pick up the products....

The original pinner or blogger used Sally Hansen Hard As Wraps Powerful Acrylic Gel, her favorite nail polish and Sally Hansen No Chip Acrylic Top Coat. The Sally Hansen products together costs about $10.

 I applied the trio using a Kleancolor polish on a Sunday. 

I did the same order the pinner did: one coat of Acrylic Gel, two coats of polish and one coat of No Chip Top Coat.

And this was Tuesday.:(

I was disappointed!! Ugh! I love polish but I'm really hard on my nails. I wash dishes, clean, cook and whatever else with my hands. However I want my nails to look good all the time, the polish to last and save money at the same time. I tried the DIY Shellac "hack" twice again using other polishes and the same chippy results came in about two days. One great thing did happen, the Sally Hansen Gel polish used as the base coat has really strengthened my nails!!!!

I'm assuming that individual results vary and this was just my results. Click on the PIN to check out the original post and comments.

Will you be trying this DIY Shellac/Gel hack???

Best High End Makeup Dupes Pins On Pinterest!

Hey Everyone!!

I'm a Pinterest Addict!! Through and through! So many ideas and such a great way of putting it all together on boards. One wonderful thing about Pinterest is finding great blogs and sites relating to makeup and fashion. I love dupes or "duplicates" of high end products. For me, high end products are not always accessible financially or physically, so finding close or exact "dupe" of that product is like finding gold!!

Here are some great pins that lead to site that have a host of dupes for high end product lines like MAC, Urban Decay, and many more!

The Drugstore Princess

Makeup Lovers Unite

Froggistyle73.blogspot.com

Temptalia

Here's a link to my DUPE BOARD on Pinterest with lots of other great pins for high end dupes!!

( All Photos are from Pinterest)

~ Bright and Fun!~ Go to Lipsticks For The Summer!

Hey Everyone!

I was inspired by one of my favorite You Tubers, Traycee77 or Traycee from K.I.S.S Hair Boards, after she did a  video on her go to lipsticks for the summer. Watch her video HERE!

Here are my go to colors, most I've been using for over two years with a couple of new shades that I'm currently loving!

(left to right)

Maybelline Vivids in Vivid Rose

Milani Rose Hip

NYX Matte Lipstick in  Shocking Pink

Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte by Kate in Kiss of Life

CoverGirl Divine

NK Orange Tint

NK Natural

( Top Row)

Maybelline Vivids in Vivid Rose

Milani Rose Hip

NYX Matte Lipstick in  Shocking Pink

Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte by Kate in Kiss of Life

( Bottom Row)

CoverGirl Divine

NK Orange Tint

NK Natural

What are some of your go to colors for the lips in the summer? Let me know in the comments!!

Introducing...Beauty Box by Target: First Edition Box.....

Hey Everyone!!

My Beauty Box by Target arrived today!! About 5 weeks ago, I ordered this $5 box from Target on a whim. I had previously received every free Target Beauty Bag sampler they offered so I was bit apprehensive about paying for one.

 It came in a bigger box than the bag sampler.

 I'll be using this box for other things! lol!

 There is a card on top that has a list of all the contents inside plus a $3 off any $15 beauty purchase coupon at Target. I approve that coupon!!!

Contents....

La Roche-Posey Effaclar Duo sample

Fekkai Glossing Cream deluxe sample

Gillette Venus and Olay Razor Pack

L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips in Lust-Rous

Overall....

I like!! When I saw the Sally Hansen Salon Nail Polish Strips, I knew I had gotten my money's worth. Those things run a cool $10 every where. I'm always in need of a razor, especially since its summer and I'll be trying La Roche-Posey sample since its an acne treatment. The Fekkai Cream, I will tuck in my hair product travel bag and the BB Cream sample...I'll toss in the trash. I'm pleased. :)

Did you order the Beauty Box by Target??? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!!!

Guilty!!! My 5 Beauty Sins......

Hey Everyone!!!

Cue the music!!!

I'm guilty of soooo many beauty "sins". Well, what I think are beauty sins. Things that my girlfriends do and  I think "Should I be doing that?... because I don't". I'm a beauty blogger but I'm far from beauty perfect meaning, I don't always go by the book. 

I'll let you all decide....My Top 5 Beauty Sins: Guilty or Not Guilty!

1) I don't carry a makeup bag in my handbag

I don't carry a makeup bag because I don't touch up my makeup. Even when I was working full time, commuting, going places after work, I never had a bag of extra makeup for touch ups, lip color changes, etc. I never apply makeup in my car, work bathroom or at a desk. If I didn't get it on before I left, its not getting put on. Which leads to my next sin.....

2) I don't touch up my makeup or lip color.

I never reapply lipstick. Once it wears off or gets wiped off, its not getting reapplied. It actually feels funny to put lipstick back on a 2nd time in a day. I definitely don't touch up makeup. No applying powder, extra mascara and all things touching up. I will blot if I'm too greasy but by the time I realize I'm greasy, it doesn't matter anymore, the day has passed and I haven't even looked in the mirror.

3)I keep old makeup, especially if it is discontinued or limited edition.

Case in point: I have about 50 L'Oreal Colour Juice Lip Glosses. They are discontinued and I love them so much but I know they are old, some smell terrible but I can't throw them away!! I have perfume from 1996, a Garden Botanical custom scent, that I remember getting paid, going to Garden Botancial , being excited to get a scent made. Memories are in that scent! I have other old, discontinued brands that I can't part with too. I may not wear it but I can't part with it!!

4)I don't apply moisturizer to my face after washing.

I wash my face twice a day but I don't moisturizer afterwards. Why? I don't need it. My natural oils will make their appearance within minutes so I'm naturally moisturized. I use a cleanser that doesn't make my face feel stripped or dry so I just wait until my natural oils come through. This method my not be for everyone, but it actually works for me.

5) I'm not diligent about wearing sunscreen.

Unless the sunscreen is in the BB Cream or foundation ( in most cases it is) I'm wearing that day, I don't put it on my face. And unless I'm out in sun for a long period of time, I don't wear it out on my body skin. I don't spend alot time in the sun because I don't like being hot. There is no "pool time" or sunbathing or beach bumming for me. However I know, I KNOW this is not a good thing to do. African Americans also suffer from sunburn or worse, skin cancer caused by the sun. I have find a sunscreen that's not uncomfortable to wear all of over, otherwise, I'm skipping it.

Guilty or Not Guilty of these five beauty sins?? And what are you beauty sins? Let me know in the comments!!

~Swatches + Review~ mark. Glossworks Longwear Lip Gloss.....

Hey Everyone!

Sometimes you want a lighter lippie option in the summer. Tomorrow, it will be in the 90s in the Carolinas, and I plan on keeping a very light yet cute face for the heat.

mark. cosmetics has come out with a new lippie, Glossworks Longwear Lip Gloss in 8 colors.  Check out below swatches and review on this summer ready gloss!!

 From the left to right: Tempest, Plume, Exhale, Tropica, Roseland, Voila, Parasol, and Cinnabomb.

  From the left to right: Tempest, Plume, Exhale, Tropica, Roseland, Voila, Parasol, and Cinnabomb.

 Tropica

 Tempest

Voila

Overall....

These Glossworks glosses are some of the best glosses I have came across in a loonnnnggg time!! I haven't been wearing gloss because the ones I've used are not pigmented enough for me and are a sticky mess.  Glossworks are a good, medium pigmentation, not liquid lipstick pigment but not sheer. As you can see from the lip swatches of Tropica, Tempest and Voila, I only applied one coat and that is what you see.

The packaging and applicator( a lip brush handle) remind me of MAC Dazzleglass. The packaging is similar and the application of gloss is the same.

The formula is a bit sticky but seems to warm to the lips and gets smoother. They also wear very well, only coming off when you eat or wipe it entirely off.

Definitely grab a neutral shade like Roseland or Cinnabomb and add Voila and Tempest to your haul!!

Disclosure: These products were sent to me for consideration for review. I was not paid for the post. All opinions and views and are honest and truthful. 

~Swatches and First Impressions~ Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquers.....

Hey Everyone!!

I happened to spot the highly anticipated Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquers over two weeks ago in Walgreens. I skipped purchasing any because they were not limited edition, so I didn't feel the need to buy right then and there.

But the next week was bananas! The swatches, the looks, the reviews, the videos of these glosses were burning a hole in a product addicted spirit!

 I went back to Walgreens ( 40 minutes away) and grabbed a "few". They are $4.99 but there are several colors, I think 12 in all.

 From left to right: Big Bang, Stellar, Nova, and Comet.

 Big Bang

 Stellar

 Nova

Comet

First Impressions....

I've been wearing these since Sunday and I will say....they are ALL the hype everyone is claiming them to be!! Highly pigmented, smooth, moisturizing, gorgeous, inexpensive....all worth it!! Rimmel priced these extremely reasonable at $4.99 but they are limited to only Walgreens. Some people don't like the smell but I don't actually smell anything weird about them. And I smell everything. lol! I'm tempted to go and pick up some other colors but I'm really happy the shades I have, so I skip hauling anymore.:)