Fall into Beauty Favorites

When fall rolls around, I am all about getting the essentials, and I am not talking about wardrobe. Last year, I took a big trip to the MAC makeup counter at my local Macy's and called it my “fall wardrobe,” because really, as long as your face looks amazing, nobody is going to notice if you’re wearing a sweater from last year!

Meet Matte:
This year, matte nails are all the rage. Big time brands like OPI, Orly, and Zoya are all releasing the hottest colors in new matte formulas, or you can pick up a new matte top

coat to make your favorite shade that isn’t matte to appear so (check out the one by Orly). I haven’t embraced or even tried the new look, since I adore all things shiny, but for all the newest matte shades and what’s hot right now become a follower of my favorite nail polish blog All Lacquered Up! Or to order your favorite matte shades for a great price check out 8ty8Beauty, or Head2Toe Beauty. Who wouldn’t want the epic summer shade, LaPazitively Hot to carry over into the fall!

Rockin’ the Red:

Red lipstick is a beauty trend that never goes out of style; fall is especially a great time to rock a strong scarlet lip. It is indeed a daring feat that must be approached with caution but when properly executed can complete a look. Last year I picked up So Scarlet by MAC and got so many compliments when I wore it out with a simple bronze eye look. To prepare your lips to take on a red color your first step is to properly exfoliate, either with a toothbrush or washcloth to make sure there is nothing that will make the color look cakey. Then use a liner, either the same shade as your lip color, or clear to gently outline your lips to make sure the color doesn’t bleed. Depending on your preference and specific desire for accuracy you can then apply the lip color directly from the tube (my personal preference) or with a lip brush. Using a brush may also ensure more lasting color. Once the color is applied, blot on a tissue to prevent the color from getting on your teeth and apply a clear, or gold tinted gloss if desired.

Spoil Your Skin:

If you’re like me, the cold air can take a serious toll on sensitive skin. When the seasons change, so does my skin routine. In the summer I can get away with washing my face and just

using a light SPF, but in the fall and winter I have to keep up with moisturizing to keep it from being dry. The only moisturizer I have found to keep my skin soft all day is Mary Kay timewise age fighting moisturizer (in normal to dry). In the colder seasons, I also use a hydrating mask a

couple times a week just for that extra boost of moisture. There are many out there, but my favorite that I have found is Drink Up, hydrating mask by Origins.

Switch Up Your Scent!

One of the things I love about fall is that it’s time to switch out the lighter beachy scents (which will always come back next year!) for warmer, richer scents that remind me of cozy times by a fire, and chilly evenings. I find that these scents tend to cling more to most body chemistries and last longer (so be sure to apply with a lighter hand). Some of my favorite scents for fall are Burberry Brit, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin (from Bath and Body Works), or Angel by Thierry

Mugler, but to find your own perfect fall scent, the scent finder at Sephora.com is a great tool!

(previously published on www.associatedcontent.com)

MAC fluidline is love!

Ok. So after years of hunting, this has been the pot of gold at my eyeliner rainbow!

However, not only is it my HG eyeliner, it is the one product that began my addiction to MAC cosmetics. That is giving it a lot of credit!

I had been using a generic pencil eyeliner, that worked, but by the end of the day it aways looked like I had been in a bar fight, or hadn't slept in six days. We all know the classic smudging. resulting in dark undereye circles. Annoying right?

I had always been sort of intimidated by makeup counters but I was on a mission. I stood by the MAC counter casually looking at the eyeshadows and lipsticks, when a fabulous M.A. asked me if he could help me. I said I had a question about eyeliner, and without hesitation he launched into a demo of every eyeliner they had, telling me the pros and cons of each one. Long story short, he gave me a look and taught me the basics of the fluidline, and it was love at first application!

It is absolutely perfect. It applies smoothly with a brush and you can apply it absolutely any way you want. Once it's on it lasts all day and into the night and does not smudge AT ALL!!!! It does wear off the waterline a little by the end of the day but on lids it lasts for ages. My only itty bitty complaints are.

1) The price. But a pot lasts forever, so it's easy to overlook.

2) I have to line my waterline/bottom lid before I put my contacts in or I get black smudges on my lenses which makes it look like I have black smudges on my eye whites! Ew.

It took me a little practice to get it down (lord it took me a whole summer to learn to apply eyeliner in general without getting it 6 inches from my lash line! So I'm growing up!) but now I'm a master and have even bought it in more colors, but black is my staple.

I also discovered a way to make it last a little longer on the bottom line, is to take a pencil liner, dip it in the fluidliner and apply both at once!

It's not a pencil, but it definitely as challenging as liquid (which I haven't even tried, but I have some coming to me, so stay tuned!) and it's super easy to learn! I recommend anyone who's hunting for a lasting, smudge proof eyeliner, at least give it a shot!

I know I'm glad I did, and I'm almost ready for my 2nd pot!

Job well done MAC!