about going nude for the summer.

Nude makeup that is!

Hello Friends! 

Nude makeup is a massive trend this summer. I’m not usually one to follow trends but I can’t deny that I love the look of nude lips and clean makeup. I decided to put my reservations aside and jump on the bandwagon for once. These are the nude products that I currently own and my thoughts on them.

 Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner in 005 Nude

I was so excited when I saw this brand of eyeliner in a nude color. I already own the 001 Black kohl pencil and I love how easily it applies and that you can smudge it across your waterline for an edgy look. I also have the Soft Kohl pencil in 071 Pure White, which I use as an inner eye highlighter and on my waterline to brighten up my eyes. However, I just recently tried the nude version for the first time and I have to say it doesn’t do much. It did cover up the marks my mascara left in my tear duct area but other than that I didn’t really notice a difference. It’s almost as if you’re not wearing eyeliner at all which, maybe that’s what it’s supposed to do but why pay money for a product when you can just simply not wear eyeliner in the first place? Maybe I’m missing the point but it seems rather redundant to me. It is a nice eyeliner and I’m sure I’ll use it simply because it sits in my makeup bag but other than for a natural, nude look I’m not sure what more you can do with this one.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipstick in 14

This lipstick is very misleading. It’s gorgeous under the bright lights of your nearest drugstore, but I wish I’d read the reviews on it before buying it. I have extremely pale, nearly see-through skin and this color does nothing for me. If you apply more than one coat it turns brown/beige and looks too harsh. However, I found that if I apply a small amount then finish it off with a pink colored lip-gloss it works perfectly. The downside is that you have to be extremely careful applying this especially if you’re out somewhere. This isn’t a lipstick you can apply without a mirror unless you like that dark, back from the dead look. The upside is that this tube will probably last me a lifetime because of how sparingly I apply it.

Maybelline Baby Lips in 030 Peach Kiss

Okay, so I’m guilty of being a fan of Baby Lips since before I discovered this shade. I also have the peppermint one that I use constantly. This nude color is exactly what I was looking for in a lip color. Now this is a color you can apply on the go, without a mirror and without worrying that you’ll look like you just dug your way out of a grave. The formula is so creamy and moisturizing and the color is buildable so you can choose how much or little you want to display. This tube has made its home in my purse and I have to say I find myself picking this over my Kate Moss lipstick most days. It’s an effortless, fun color and that’s exactly what I was looking for

Almay Liquid Lip Balm in 200 Nudetrients

This is the pink lip gloss that I’ve been applying over my Kate Moss lip stick. This lip gloss which is actually called a liquid lip balm over on Almay’s website is lovely. It’s light and cheery enough to use on it’s own but also pale and sheer enough to enjoy as a glossy coating over your favorite color. This color is on the edge of nude/baby pink and I adore it. It helps that there are subtle sparkles in it to pick up the light on a warm spring/summer day. Also, it smells like icing, if that doesn’t sell you I don’t know what will.

 

 

Here are some pictures of me wearing the Rimmel London eyeliner pencil and the Maybelline Baby Lips lip balm on a night out! 

See you soon friends, 

Lynn

directions are the key to successful skincare.

Hello Friends!

If you’re anything like me and/or you’ve been living under a rock you might not know that there’s this thing called moisturizer for your face. Well friends, I did not know this. Rather, I did know this but I thought moisturizing your face was just simply putting lotion on it. So, over the years I’ve just been plastering my face with my daily body lotion, which is currently Lubriderm Shea and Cocoa Butter formula. 

Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion Shea + Enriching Cocoa Butter

During the cold, dry winter months this actually helped to smooth out my dry skin but as soon as it started heating up outside I started to notice a lot of breakouts on my face. I decided to take a stroll down the lotion aisle at our nearest Walmart and was excited/baffled/completely confounded by all of the different choices. I finally decided on a brand that I’ve been wanting to try for a while, Simple Skincare. 

Simple Skincare Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15

I’ve been seeing this brand advertised everywhere lately and of course they’re from England (if you know anything about me then you know I’m obsessed with the Motherland) so I was beyond excited to try it out. I love this lotion. Not only does it moisturize without leaving that greasy, oily film behind but it also has SPF 15 in it so it’s perfect for wearing alone on a no makeup day in the sun. I’ve actually noticed my skin having less breakouts since I started using this lotion. Another thing that I love is that you can wear makeup over this lotion without feeling like you’re suffocating. You literally cannot tell you’re wearing anything once the lotion settles into your skin. If I had to find a downside it would have to be that the lotion smells strongly of sunscreen when you first apply it. Now, I’m not a major fan of the smell but seeing as it’s summer it doesn’t bug me that much. Chances are if you’re taking care of your skin you’re going to smell like sunscreen anyway so it really isn’t a big deal.

Unfortunately friends, my lesson is not over. Another product that I’ve been using completely wrong for oh, I don’t know about 10 years, would have to be my beloved Neutrogena Foaming Scrub. 

Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Scrub

For the past decade I’ve been using this product religiously. It’s my holy grail, go-to, never fail product and I just recently read the actual directions for the first time ever. Boy, was I in for a surprise. 

Directions: 

“Squeeze scrub into wet hands. Rubs hands together. 

Add more water and rub hands together to work into foamy lather. 

Apply to face and rub gently, avoiding contact with the delicate eye area.” 

So for about ten years I’ve been slapping this scrub right onto my face, rubbing it in, washing it off and wondering why it wasn’t working all the time. Firstly, before you state the obvious, no I’ve never asked myself why it was called foaming scrub when there was no foam. Except now that I know how to use it properly there is tons of foam and you know what it actually does what it says it should. Lesson learned: read the directions and save yourself time and embarrassment. I’m pretty sure I heard my toothbrush snicker at me. 

See you soon friends,

Lynn