Just the basics, ma'am

It is absolutely wild to me when I think about the amount of makeup I used to own in comparison to the amount of makeup I have ever consistently actually USED and WORN. I've never been a face makeup (foundation/powder/concealer or highlighter/bronzer/blush) person, which has not ever stopped me from buying and keeping it. I was rarely an eyeliner or eyeshadow person, which did not stop me from coveting and collecting an array of it. 

The wild world upending ride of 2020 saw me finally let go of makeup I was holding onto just in case. It is more cost efficient to get my makeup done for any event I really want a lot of it on for versus buying shit that looks pretty in its packaging but will expire before I use it twice. Regardless of how pretty a palette is I am not the person who is going to get solid use out of a palette. I want to be a makeup person because I like makeup, but I'm not, and I've moved on to admiring it from afar but not bringing it home with me.

I also cannot act like I'm 13 and know no better - makeup does expire and it needs to be culled way more often than most of us are culling it. 

So this is it except for other lip products I use, specifically Buxom Lip Balm in Dolly Fever. I am also partial to Urban Decay Vice Lipstick, Tarte Color Splash Lipstick, and Tarte SEA H20 Balm Tint . 

NYX Shine Loud Lip Color - I have three of these. I mostly combine two at a time. It will last until the next day perfectly overnight most of the time. You have to remove it with micellar water. I wear it matte and don't use the shine. I have Magic Maker, Ambition Statement, and Born to Hustle. Trophy Life too but I don't really like that one so it's about to get binned. 

Ilia Mascara - Solid daily work horse

Marc Jacobs Accomplice Concealer - I use it for under my eyes and it works great. I don't know how to advise you on how it works on other parts of your face since I don't do that. 

Thanks to my friend Chelsea for recommending the NYX Shine Loud and the Ilia Mascara in IG stories - follow her there. 

It feels good not to own makeup just in case. While I am now a makeup product minimalist, I will not be taking questions or comments about the amount of nail polish I own at this time. Thank you for respecting my privacy. 

Thursday Thoughts - We can stay out all day or we can run around all night

Appreciating winter skies - this is Monday's sunrise

Representing my favorite color in my reusable stuff for sure. 

Struggling to get off the couch and get the daily dos stuff done at night this week.

Glamour shotting the dogs and laughing like a hyena at Bender's tooth. 

Trying Printcess eye shadow. McKenzie, who participates in SUYB and blogs here, sent me some samples. She just purchased the company that is cruelty free vegan eye shadows. We all know I am not the makeup queen (as you can see by the photos below, #notgoodatthis), but each Printcess shadow is inspired by a book, which I freaking love, in addition to loving the cruelty-free aspect of them. I wear eye shadow a few times a week. I liked the Printcess shadow and it stayed on all day (I did use an eye primer, I always do) like my Urban Decay shadow does. You can see the colors in the Etsy shop here. I picked Witch to sample based on the name because of course I did. For those of you looking to use more sustainable, cruelty-free products and shop small vs. big machine brands, check this shadow out. My old Sephora neutral is nearly gone and when it is I'm going to replace it with Alibi or Rukmani. I will also purchase Witch at some point in the future.

Adding eyebrows to tomorrow's To Do list. It's been at least six months since I picked up a tweezer and those pics. Woof.

Spending $6.76 on unnecessary, unplanned for items in January - a face mask at Target that I wanted to try for $1.77 and $4.99 for a kindle book. The book is the next in a series and was purchased after I contacted the library and was told they have no plans to get the remaining four books in the series. Everything else was needed or planned.

Planning a few unnecessary but budgeted bookish expenses for February: the other three books in the DCI Erika Foster series and On the Come Up, Angie Thomas's next novel that I pre-ordered back in July and debuts on February 5. And that I see is only $12.91 for the hardcover. Holler.

Demanding justice for Jussie Smollett. Every one of us has the responsibility to rise up against ignorant hate out there and be louder than homophobes and louder than racists. 

Hibernating...still. I do have something to do Friday night and Saturday afternoon this weekend. My only super bowl plans include eating frozen appetizers. 

Listening to Ain't Even Done With the Night by John Mellencamp. One of my favorite songs of all time. Have you ever read the comments on YouTube videos of songs? They are fucking hilarious. The second one I saw was who is listening to this song in 2018? Me, dickhead. I am.

Watching True Detective Season 3 and The Great British Baking Show. I'm pumped to have this as an action item, I'm usually watching nothing. MasterChef Australia was also recommended to me for the camaraderie of the people on it so I'll check that out too.

Reading: the third DCI Erika Foster novel as mentioned above - Dark Water by Robert Bryndza

Reminding us all

Applying this e-card to the entire week

What's new with you?

 

What's in Jill's Makeup Bag?

It's that time again! My great friend and personal product guru Jill, a professional makeup artist and cosmetology educator at PB Beauty School in NJ, is back today for her monthly post. Beauty is her passion and she's gracious enough to stop by here once a month to share her knowledge and favorites with us. 

Click here to learn more about Jill.

Follow Jill on Instagram: @kicksandlipsticks
Previous blogs by Jill:
Bargain Beauty Buys, LUSHtastic

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Hello again everyone! I am getting ready to head out on vacation this Friday on a 15 night Disney Cruise through the Panama Canal. That being said, packing for a total of 18 days is giving me a ton of anxiety. Over the years of traveling with Steph I have become much better about packing, especially with space saving. See her shout out on Ebags Packing Cubes here, we both really find them useful! This month I want to share with you my travel makeup must haves. What I can't live without. Most makeup artists have their own personal Ulta at their disposal, so picking and choosing what to bring can be difficult. Of all my "babies," the following is what I just can't be without! 

I'm not going to break down my skin care essentials because we talked about it last month, but you can read about my beauty routine here in case you missed it. I find the Slim Packing Cube to be really useful in packing those items. It is perfect for holding my toiletries, just the right size and it has a strap for convenient hanging in a hotel bathroom.

 

I got this awesome quad of travel bags when I was shopping around in Victoria's Secret a few weeks ago, they were only $29.95. They're not available in this print anymore but they have a ton of similar items on their website. I like that the pieces in this set can fit inside the large one or can be thrown in a purse or beach bag separately.

  

I will also be using my Eve Pearl Satchel Drawstring Makeup Bag ($34) This thing is a Mary Poppins bag of sorts. It holds so much! It cinches up and also has a convenient strap.

I love Eve and really like a lot of her products - check her out if you aren't familiar! Her line is very skin friendly. I had the pleasure of meeting her a few weeks back and have to share these pics of Eve and I, also me and one of Eve's Emmys (a girl can dream!).

  My Makeup Must Haves:

Face Staples

 1.) Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation $48

This stuff is amazing and literally worth every cent. I often work 11 hr days sweating behind a blow dryer and this stuff doesn't budge. It goes on smooth and gives the skin a nice glow.

 2.) Laura Gellar Baked Body Frosting in Tahitian Glow $45

I use this bronzer everyday. It is quite big and I would say it lasts me about six months. I love this for a little sun-kissed look or even to do my cheek contour with.

3.) Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light $45

I know this is pricey, but I use it to just highlight my cheekbones and my chin. Nothing I have ever tried worked as well as this. Highlighting powder is helpful in giving the face dimension especially in pictures!

4.) Urban Decay Naked Illuminated Powder in Luminous $30

This shimmering powder can be used on the face and the body. I use it a lot in the summer on my collarbones and upper chest to give the skin some glow. I love sparkles so if I can make my skin sparkle like Edward Cullen in Twilight I am buying it.

5.) My favorite trio of Mac Blushes $17

Melba, Sunbasque, and Devil all have orange or coral undertones. I love these for summer but Melba is my main blush I wear all year round!

 6.) Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo $23

I have pretty thick brows so I do not use a pencil or a brow paste. I simply use the powder duo to just fill in the shape. It sets nicely and it isn't overly dramatic. Also, when I wash it off it's easy to remove, not like a paste that sometimes leaves you looking like Groucho Marx.

7.) SmashBox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner $20

This liner is AMAZING! I have it in a few colors and will be packing it in brown and black. The best part about this besides being waterproof is that there is a built in sharpener in the cap, no reason to pack one because this baby is always sharp!

8.) Nyx Hi Definition Photo Concealer Wand in Porcelain $4.99

I use this to spot treat any blemishes that arise and I also will use this to contour and brighten under the eye. This is probably my go to concealer line for when I am working as well. It comes in a ton of shades as well as three color correcting shades. 

9.) Makeup For Ever HD Microfinish Powder $35

I use this in place of a colored setting powder. I like the way it sits on my skin and it is lightweight and translucent so it can be worn with any skin tone and it is talc-free so it does not dry out the skin.

10.) Too Faced Better Than Sex Water Proof Mascara $23

I had been using Calvin Klein CK One Mascara for a while and LOVED IT! Then of course like most things we find and love, it was discontinued. I have been bouncing from mascara to mascara since to find one I like. This is the current one I am using and honestly I do really like it, it lengthens and defines and the brush is nice. Plus, its waterproof.

 

LIPS

I love Lipstick. I think I am like most women, in that even if I am not doing a full face of makeup a little lip color and mascara is something we gravitate to. Just makes you feel good.

11.) Dose of Colors Liquid Matte Lipsticks $18

Can't say enough about this stuff. I am obsessed. The color is super pigmented, goes on and stays on. Smooth and creamy application and doesn't dry out the lips like many matte lipsticks can.

 

12.) Mac Lipsticks $17

 I really like to have a variety of lipsticks no matter what the occasion, so I know it seems like I am packing a lot of them but I just can't choose one or two. I love them all so much!

13.) Lip Liners and Lip Glosses 

BH Cosmetics - Candy and Raspberry $4.50

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics in Grandma, Trick and Sebastian  $16

Dose of Colors Lipgloss in Bellini $15

Mac Lipglass in Nymphette and Saint Germain $15

These are all a bunch of shades that compliment most lipsticks, pinky orange undertones are kind of what looks best on my skin so that makes up a large portion of my personal collection.

EYES 

I love having a few options for eyes as well. I have my fall back shades that I tend to use everyday but on vacation when I have a little more time to play around I like trying new looks and using a little more color.

14.) Naked One Palette $54 

 This is my favorite shadow palette, I love the colors in it and it is always my go to.

15.) Urban Decay XX Vice LTD Reloaded Palette $56

 I do not need to bring this but I just picked it up and will play around with it on my trip. I like the colors in it so far and any UD shadow is good quality.

16.) Dose of Colors Eye Deal Duo in Disco and Pixie Dust $25

I am obsessed with these glitters. They have a built-in primer that sits above the loose sparkle pigment. I like to be glittery and I love both of these shades so much.

Lastly, Brushes

What is an artist without a brush? I love Real Techniques Brushes. They are my go-to for work and play. Plus you can't beat the quality for the price! The three sets that they make are perfect for face, eye and brow. I really feel like you do not need anything besides the three kits listed below. In addition they come in a great little travel case. Also, right now at Ulta you can get them Buy 1, Get 1 50% off . They run this deal a lot so its a good chance to stock up on them.

17.) Real Techniques Core Collection $17.99

18.) Real Techniques Starter Kit $17.99

18) Real Techniques Brow Set $19.99

19.) Dose of Colors Brushes 

 Flat Contour Brush $24

Vegan and Cruelty Free, soft and great upscale addition to any brush collection

Blending Brush $18

Love this for working on my eyes, especially when creating a little more of a smokey look.

Tapered Blush Brush $24

This is perfect for applying blush, plus it is so soft and fluffy it feels great on the skin

One last little gem I can't forget about is my Mac Fix + Setting Spray. I use this to lock my makeup in and I also will use it on the beach or by the pool for a refreshing mist on my skin when its hot.

Mac has made it in a small travel size and you can grab it for $10 dollars. Not bad.

 

I hope you guys have enjoyed taking a peek into my travel bag. I have my makeup figured out now its on to packing my clothes and shoes! Yikes, I am glad with Southwest Bags Fly Free!

 Bon Voyage Beauties! See you next month!!

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Thanks so much to Jill for the peek inside of her makeup bag. Did you find anything you liked? 

Thursday Thoughts on things

1.  The bastard squirrels have eaten too many of my bulbs. Lori is going to re-plant spring bulbs for me in the fall. The few that remain are crutching along. I've been planning my front flower bed this past week.

2. I've had Like the Weather by 10,000 Maniacs in my head all week, specifically because every day this week I've walked out of my house in inappropriate attire and refused to go back in for a heavier jacket. I feel a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather. It's like the 1990s up in here.

3. Pedicure today. I'm in need.

4. Every April, MFD likes to play the guess how much we owe in taxes game. I do not like to play this game, but I humor him. This year something went terribly awry during said game and his typo had me thinking we owed the federal government $110,000. Never mind that there's no way that could possibly be, I was not thinking clearly and I believed it. He was out with clients and didn't get my frantic WTF texts so basically I nearly died and within minutes had planned to sell everything I own and move into a van down by the river. He had a hoot of a laugh when he got back to me, as has everyone else who has heard this story since Tuesday.

5. Jana and I are super jazzed that Show Us Your Books had 55 posts link up this month, including ours. What a fucking fantastic community of readers. When people ask for book recommendations, I'm just going to send them to this link and say if you can't find one here, I don't know what to tell you. Thank you and good day. I SAID GOOD DAY. Anyhoo Jana and I met up for lunch on Wednesday and even though she drug two old books I lent her with her, I left them in the booth with the romantic notion that someone in need of a book might happen upon them.

6. Happy National Library Week!

7. Jana also bought me this Urban Decay Sheer Revolution lipstick, which I love a) for the name and b) for the color.

8. I cancelled my plans this weekend because I need to slow my roll and re-charge in a major way. I will always say no to things in order to say yes to my sanity.

9. I've been watching Rectify. Have you guys seen it?

10. E-card of the week:

Great Makeup on a Budget

I've been like 0 for six or sometimes even 7 days a week on wearing makeup, so naturally it's been a minute since anything beauty-related has been on this blog. I love makeup posts so I'm bringing in the big guns, my great friend Jill. She's my go-to makeup guru and did my makeup for my wedding. Anyone in the southern NJ/PA area who needs a makeup artist for a wedding or special event, get in touch with Jill! She does an awesome job and is really knowledgeable about makeup and application. She does her research on products and knows her shit! I usually confer with her before I buy things if I'm hemming and hawing over it. Be sure to follow her on Instagram!
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Hi everyone! My name is Jill and I am so excited to be guest blogging for Steph today. I am a professional makeup artist and cosmetology educator at PB Beauty School in NJ. Beauty is my passion and this is such a great opportunity to share it with all of you! 

Click here to learn more about me.

Instagram: @kicksandlipsticks

As a professional makeup artist, I am constantly buying makeup. It is basically part of my job to shop and stock up on beauty products. I often times find myself looking around for duplicates or "dupes " of some of the high end products I love. I am a beauty addict so I will buy any makeup product from Dior to Cover girl. If I like it and it is a good product the label doesn't matter to me. I would prefer to get more bang for my buck and I'm sure most of you feel the same. I have found so many that I love and want to share them with all of you!

1. Smashbox VS. NYX

How many of you wear foundation? If you're wearing it, are you priming your skin first? Here's my tip: if you wear a foundation daily you should be using a primer. It is going to do several things for you. First, it's going to make your makeup stay on longer and second, it's also going to allow your makeup to go on smoother. My favorite primer is Smashbox Photo Finish. It is great for all skin types. However it has a pretty steep price tag at $36.00 and for an item that should be used everyday you can burn through it pretty quickly.

Here is my suggestion as a perfect dupe- NYX Photo Loving Primer. At $12.99 you can grab this baby at your local CVS or Ulta. This is a great product and is equally as good.

2. Benefit VS. NYX

In addition to a primer a lot of people ask me about pore fillers, some primers work as a pore filler but often times in areas such as the nose a pore filler is needed to help minimize the size of the pore.

One of the most popular ones on the market is POREfessional by Benefit Cosmetics. Although it is a great product why pay $31 when you can buy a product that will do the same thing for $13.99?

NYX Pore Filler does the job just fine. I use this product on my cheeks almost everyday! This can be used with a primer like the Photo Loving one from above or alone as a primer and pore filler.

3. Anastasia VS. NYX

Let's talk brows for a second. To me eyebrows are the most important accessory. A good brow can make your everyday look seem like it's right off the red carpet. I swear by the Anastasia Beverly Hills brow products but recently tried a great substitute. I have always used the Anastasia Highlighting Duo Pencil which is $23. I would line around my brow and it would brighten up the whole area and really help to define my brows.

BUT, even though Anastasia will always have my loyalty, I have to spread the word about the NYX Eyebrow Push-Up Bra. This product has a built-in brow pencil as well as a highlight stick. It can be used to shade and shape but on the flipside it can conceal and highlight. The best is the price:  it is only $9.99.

4. MAC lipstick VS Drugstore Brands

My last dupe I want to share with you is one that I found on Pinterest. I have personally bought every one of the suggested "dupes" and have been pleasantly surprised by them. I LOVE MAC lipsticks and thought there was no way I would ever find a lipstick that had the same awesome color quality and a decent texture with long lasting wear. I am so glad I tried these because the price difference is so worth it.

(image via INDULGY )

I hope you guys have enjoyed reading about my favorite "dupes."Be sure to let us know if you try any of them!

Thanks so much to Jill for beautying up this place. Look for more guest blogs from her in the future!

Do you have a dupe you swear by?

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart - KahlilGibran

Since I can't show you a photo of the light in my heart without the aid of machines, I will share my five favorite beauty things instead. Have you ever known a physical beauty who is so ugly in their soul that they appear off in an ugly way on the exterior? Me too. Don't ever let that be you. Trust that there is a light in my heart that I cultivate daily, and be sure you're cultivating yours as well.

My five favorite beauty products:

1. MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Powder in Light Plus
2. I like to call #2 Filene's Basement because this shit is at rock bottom prices. L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes - this is the poor lady's Lancome Definicils. There's legitimately no difference. Trust me. I used to shell out the bucks for the Lancome version. There is also no difference between this $2 elf eyelash curler and my now defunct $20 Shu Uemura eyelash curler. What's in a name? In the case of these items, a lot of wasted money, that's what.
3. Urban Decay eyeshadow primer potion - no other primer comes close to the staying power of this one.
4. I made the nice lady at Sephora try every MFing concealer in the store under my eyes to match my doesn't appear yellow but is undertone, and I ended up with Yves St. Laurent Anti-Cernes. I can get you the color if you want it but concealer is personal.
5. Lipstick is also personal, says my BFF Raymond at the MAC counter at Macy's Center City. However I strongly suggest you try MAC Twig for your every day lip color. It looks perfect on everyone I force it on.

In the interest of full disclosure, Monday through Wednesday I'm lucky to swipe mascara on before leaving the house. I apply my lipstick on the train. By Thursday I've usually gotten the ass about me to put some eyeliner and eyeshadow on. If I go out on the weekend I might even use face makeup. I am not a full makeup face girl. When I do wear more, these are some of my favorites:

1. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
2. Clinique Quickliner for Eyes
3. Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow in peach beige
4. Laura Mercier oil-free tinted moisturizer and Benefit High Beam. The Laura is expensive but doesn't break me out like every other blasted thing. The Benefit was in a gift bag and it's awesome.

Do you use any of these? What are your top five must have beauty products?

Kiss kiss hug hug.

 

Linking up with The Sowell Life - The Friday Five
Follow the Ruels and The Diary of a Real Housewife for Friday Favorites