Prime Me Pretty

My two newest purchases: MAC Fix + and Benefit "Dr. Feelgood" Balm

MAC Fix +

I can't believe it's taken me this long to purchase Fix +! I'll be perfectly honest - I had no idea what the hell Fix + was. Being an avid MAC customer, I always saw it in the store but passed it on by. After reading an excellent review on one of the many beauty blogs I read, I had to try it out for myself. Turns out, it's an amazing product!

I've used it a couple different ways to experiment so far. I've used it to set my makeup - after I apply my base & blush, I spray Fix + on my face (two pumps is enough) and my makeup seems to stay in place longer. I also love using it after I take my makeup off at night and wash my face. I'll spray it on and it just feels so refreshing and clean. I've heard people using it as a primer before applying base, but I usually don't use a liquid primer. All in all, this is definitely going to be packed in my beach bag for the summer.

Benefit Dr. Feelgood Balm

Hmmm OK soooooo..................yeah. When I purchased this, I was under the impression that it was a LIP balm. I saw the large tin and thought, "Hey, I could use a nice, big container of lip balm." Uhh yeah, definitely NOT lip balm.

When I read the back of the tin, it explains that this product is used for "smoothing away fine lines" and has a mattefying effect. Totally not my thing! I tried using it on my lips anyway, and it didn't work out too well - it drys to a powdery finish - yuck! I'm not big into powders in general - I think it dulls your complexion and makes you look older. I'm more in favor of a dewy, glowing look (with lots of illuminators and bronzers!) I'm in my 20's, so I don't really have a use for a "fine line" correcter. Guess I should have read into it more.

Does anyone have any good uses for either of these products? I love hearing your suggestions!

The Perfect Lip Stain - Is There a Such Thing?

From what I've experienced...um NO! The concept of a lip stain has always been intriguing to me...it will stay on? ALL day? You will always look like you have perfectly pretty lips and it's effortless? Unfortunately, I have yet to find this "miracle" lip stain. I own four different stains (reviewed below), none of which are "perfect" but all have different qualities. Enjoy!


Tokidoki Fantastico Lip Ink in Nana Star


I had high hopes for this lip stain, but unfortunately it fell way short. It's a lip stain, yet barely has any pigment whatsoever. It's so "natural" looking, that you almost can't see it at all, and it actually wears off your lips. It also felt as if the marker itself was dried-out, even though it was sealed in plastic! I gave it a try a few times to no avail. Sorry ladies, I don't like writing negative reviews but I just hope you don't waste your money on this one! Although, I did buy an eyeliner pen from Tokidoki which I LOVE, so I don't hate the brand at all, just the product =)

Pocketpal benetint + gloss


Benetint is great! It's very bold, vibrant and long-wearing - just what a lip stain should be. Lip stains and inks tend to be drying, so the clear gloss to go over the stain keeps it looking fresh. My only beef with the Benetint, is that it tends to settle in the cracks of your lips if they are the least bit dry or cracked. For the most part, this is the best stain i've tried so far.

Givenchy Tinted Look Lip Stainer in Pink Impression


This lip stain is a perfect example of an expensive product NOT being worth it! It was a last minute purchase on the way out of Sephora, and I don't think I could dislike it anymore (wow, i'm negative today huh?) This product leaves flakes EVERYWHERE. It also leaves streaks and lines on your lips - kind of like a bad lip liner job from the 80's. I'm actually embarrassed to say that i've never returned a beauty product in my life, but thought of returning this one. Completely and utterly YIKES


Very Sexy Lip Stain (by Victoria's Secret) in Proposition


I do like this one. I like that it's a thin tube, which gives you more control when applying. I didn't exactly chose the right color for my skin, but it is silky and long-lasting as a stain should be. If only I picked the right color!


From Left: Tokidoki, Givenchy, Benefit, Very Sexy


I wanted to purchase one of the Stila lip stains, but Sephora didn't have any left. I also was about to purchase the Urban Decay lip stain, but a follow beauty addict almost wrestled me to the floor and told me not to get it! She claimed that it won't come off for 3 days, not matter how hard you scrub your lips...not interested in that.

Anyone have an awesome lip stain they can share? I'm very open to suggestions!

Applicator Allure

I started studying all the different types of applicators that my lipglosses have - short and long doe-foots, triangle doe-foots, short and long brushes, etc. How do these applicators effect the way our gloss looks? What is the best applicator and method? Here are a few that i've spotted so far:



tokidoki prisma lipgloss - Flexible Silicone Paddle Applicator








One of the newer applicators on the market, the paddle applicator is great for glosses that are very liquidy, like this prisma gloss. It's almost like a mini spatula for your lips. It feels smooth to the touch, and applies product evenly to the lips.



Benefit benetint pocketpal - Traditional Doe-Foot Applicator





Probably the most common lipgloss applicator, the doe-foot is a never fail. It's great, because you can apply almost any type of gloss with it easily. Some chicks even use it for certain lipsticks. It's been around forever, but the question remains - is it the best option? Or just the most common?





Tarina Tarantino Gem Gloss - Long Doe-Foot Applicator





A slight twist on the traditional doe-foot, this one is more flexible and holds more product. I like it because you have more control over where the gloss goes. The applicator curves with your lips and gives you a more even finish.



Lancome Color Fever Gloss - Triangle Doe-Foot





This applicator is unique to Lancome - they call it the "Lip-Magnify Applicator." It scoops up the product and allows for plentiful application.



Hourglass Lipgloss - Brush Applicator





Not sure how I feel about the brush applicator. With lighter colors it seems to work OK, but with darker shades it seems to streak and leave some lines. I usually end up fixing the lines with my finger tips to ensure I have a perfect pucker =)





Lip Fusion Infatuation - Short Brush Applicator





I've seen this shorter brush applicator in many new lipglosses lately. Unlike the traditional brush, the shorter one gives you more freedom to paint on your gloss and avoids the dreading streaking. It's been popping up everywhere, from Lip Fusion to YSL to LORAC. A new trend emerging, perhaps?





Do you ladies favor a certain type of applicator? Let us know! xoxo

Stop, You're Making Me Blush

Hi Pretty Girls! I've reviewed four different types of blush for your reading pleasure!

Smashbox – Gel Cheek Color
Shade: O-Glow



I’ll be honest, I have a love/hate relationship with O-Glow. I think it’s absolutely fabulous in the winter time when your skin is on the dryer side. After applying foundation and a little finishing powder, O-Glow looks flawless when applied to the apples of your cheeks. I like the hint of pretty pink color it gives your cheeks - kind of that…is she? isn’t she? wearing blush look. I like the gel texture of the product, it feels gentle on your skin when applying it. However, I find myself steering completely clear of O-Glow in the summer months. Your skin has a lot more moisture (and potential oil) in the summer, therefore gel based products tend to sweat or wear off my skin super-easily – not cool at all!


Tarte – Solid Cheek Stain
Shade: Natural Beauty



This solid cheek stain had a lot of potential. I thought the chubby little stick it came in was very cute, and the color looked pretty too. However, I was disappointed. I felt like I had to continuously rub the cheek stain on my cheeks, and there was barely any color on my face. Now, I understand the shade is called NATURAL beauty, but the blush almost had no color at all! It’s possible that my skin tone was a little too dark for this product (I have olive skin), so maybe it wasn’t meant for me. So for you Tarte lovers, speak up and let me know if you disagree! =)


Benefit Cosmetics – Liquid Tinted Cheek and Lip Stain
Shade: Benetint



Benetint is an interesting animal. I like the color it provides the cheeks, and it seems to stay put throughout the day. I do find it a little difficult to apply to the cheeks though, since the brush is very skinny and tough to work with. You usually end up trying to blend the Benetint with your fingers, causing you to look like you just committed blush murder. Keep in mind, that Benetint also doubles as a lip stain. If you’re not crazy about using it on your cheeks, it’s actually an amazing lip stain in my opinion. After it dries, I love putting some clear lip balm or clear lip gloss over it for a really powerful set of lips!


NARS – Powder Blush
Shade: Orgasm



For me, NARS Orgasm Blush has been the reigning Queen of all Blushes. I find myself purchasing other blushes, but going back to NARS in the end. It seems to be the perfect shade on almost anyone! It surprises me that even in the summer when I have a tan, or in the winter when I’m paler, it still looks flawless. It also has just the right amount of shimmer in it – not too much shimmer so you look like a clown (god FORBID) or too little shimmer so your skin looks matte and boring. Until I find something better, NARS wins my heart in this category!

So, what will it be ladies? Gel, Solid, Liquid or Powder?