Favorite Nude Lipsticks

Favorite Nude Lipsticks

If I had to choose only one lipstick color to wear for the rest of my life, it would definitely be nude!When I look through my extensive lipstick collection, it is clear that I have a nude lipstick obession. I have double the amount of nude lipsticks than any other lipstick color in my collection. Nude lipsticks are my favorite because they can go perfectly with any makeup look. A smoky eye to a neutral eye, a nude lip will go with anything.

When I think of a nude lipstick, I don't have a limited view on what a nude color is. When some people think of a nude lipstick, they think that it looks like the color of skin. However, I feel that a nude lipstick is any color that ranges from the natural color of lips all the way to flesh toned lipsticks. The advantages to wearing a nude lip is that you can create many different looks with the many colors of nudes that you have. For instance, you can apply just the nude lipstick and blur out the edges to create a soft focused lip look, or you can use a corresponding lip liner to make the nude lip crisp and defined.

I have choosen my top 15 nude lipstick colors that range from light to dark, sheer to opaque, and glossy to matte. I think that in this selection of lipsticks, anyone can find a lipstick that would look great on them. As a reference, I am a NC30/NC35 in MAC foundation right now as I just self-tanned a few days ago.

Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Melted Nude
Price: $21.00
You can buy this at: Ulta, Sephora, and Macy's

Milani Lipstick in Naturally Chic
Price: $5.99
You can buy this at: Milani.com, Mejer, and CVS

MAC Lipstick in Japanese Maple
Price: $17.00
You can buy this at: MAC stores, Macy's, and Nordstrom

Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Baby Pink
Price: $27.00
You can buy this at: bobbibrown.com, Macy's, and Nordstrom

Lime Crime Lipstick in Coquette
Price: $8.00
You can buy this at: limecrime.com

Bite Beauty Lipstick in Caramel
Price: $26.00
You can buy this at: bitebeauty.com and Sephora

NYX Lipstick in Athens
Price: $5.99
You can buy this at: Ulta, Target, and nyxcosmetics.com

Kardashian Beauty En-Joystick in Modern Mauve
Price: $ 8.99
You can buy this at: Ulta and kbeauty.com

YSL Lipstick in #8
Price: $37.00
You can buy this at: Sephora, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue

Urban Decay Lipstick in Naked
Price: $22.00
You can buy this at: Ulta, Sephora, and Macy's

MAC Lipstick in Shy Shine
Price: $17.00
You can buy this at: MAC stores, Macy's, and Nordstrom

Estee Lauder Lipstick in Desirable
Price: $30.00
You can buy this at: Sephora, Macy's, and Nordstrom

Chanel Lipstick in Boy
Price: $37.00
You can buy this at: Macy's, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue

L'Oreal Lipstick in Jennifer's Nude
Price: $5.99
You can buy this at: Walgreens, Walmart, and Target

YSL Lipstick in #9
Price: $37.00
You can buy this at: Sephora, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue

All Photos by Becky Schutten

#internationalwomensday

#internationalwomensday

What does International Women's Day mean to you? Standing up for women's rights? Focusing on equality between men and women in the work place and in society? Women embracing their bodies and their sexuality? All of the above?

As hard as it might be to believe, inequality doesn't just stop at race or the color of someone's skin. Women's inequality is still a huge issue in today's society. And as hard as it is to admit, it's not just men that help create and sustain this inequality. Women can be some of our biggest enforcers when it comes to keeping limitations on what it means to be an  "independent" and "free" woman in today's society. This is extremely alarming to me. We, as women, already have more obstacles to face than men when trying to live a life free of judgment and shaming to be putting those limitations on ourselves and each other. We should be supporting one another to succeed and be comfortable in our own skin. Supporting one another to be confident in the skin we were born in and comfortable with making our own choices about what we want our life and legacy to be.

"Live and let live."

This term is hard for a lot of people to understand and implement in their lives. Everyone wants to be accepted for the person that they are and supported in the choices they make as they are trying to become the person they want to be. No one wants to be made to feel like they are inadequate or that they cannot truly be themselves in the fear that people will judge them. We are all human beings and we need to respect other's choices and let them live. LET LIVE.

No one is perfect and no one will ever live up to other people's standards of the perfect person. As women, we have an even greater pressure to be perfect. The perfect hair. The perfect makeup. The perfect face without any makeup. The perfect body. The perfect outfits. To be honest, women tend to make up these "perfect" scenarios of how they should look and act then project them on to other women. As a result, women begin to feel inadequate and feel shameful because they will never live up to these standards that are put on them.

We were all born different. Different shapes. Different sizes. Different colors. Different personalities. Different views. Different goals. And that's perfectly okay! In fact, I think that's pretty damn amazing! I get inspired by women how are different than I am. I look at how they live their lives and the decisions they have made and it inspires me to live my own life as authentically as possible. I might admire the way another woman looks or the confidence she has or how business savvy a woman is, but the best part about that is that those aspects and traits that I admire in so many women are helping me to become the great woman that I hope to be as I navigate through my life.

So, instead of judging another woman because the doesn't have the same values as you, or she is comfortable with her body, or she has opinions and she's willing to voice them, or she isn't what you consider to be the "perfect woman" consider the following:

Would you want your daughter, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, grandmother, friend, niece, or wife to be judged or made to feel badly about who she is? I would be willing to take a risk and say that just about everyone would never wish those feelings upon their loved ones.

So, instead of taking the time to tear someone else down, why not take that energy and use it for something good. Lift someone up today! Give them a compliment. Tell them what you like about them. Focus on the positive. Use your voice to uplift others rather than spreading hate in an already cold and judgemental society.

Bullying others in person or on social media should never be accepted or tolerated, so let's spread the love instead. Women to men. Men to men. Men to women. And women to women!

Happy International Women's Day! Embrace yourself!

Women who inspire me (in no particular order):

                                                                Marilyn Monroe: Movie Star

 

Elizabeth Taylor: Movie Star

 

My Amazing Mom

 

 

Lindsay Matway: Fitness and Life Coach

 

 

My Beautiful Sister

 

 

Anna Saccone-Joly: YouTuber/Beauty Guru

 

 

Kim Kardashian West: Reality Star/Entrepreneur

 

 

Pastor Grace: Woman of God

 

 

Amra Olevic (Amrezy): Beauty Blogger/Guru

 

 

My Wonderful Grandma: Rest in Peace

 

 

Eyebrow Pencils: Anastasia vs. NYX

Eyebrow Pencils: Anastasia vs. NYX

Finding the perfect eyebrow pencil can definitely be a challenge, and I have done my research for the best ones at the expense of my bank account. Just because a product has a big price tag doesn't mean it is worth the money when it comes to the quality of the product. In particular, it can be difficut to find a great eyebrow pencil regardless of the price, which makes the hunt for the perfect brow product even harder. Creating a perfect yet natural looking brow has become a huge trend, and an even bigger eyebrow tend in recent years has been Anastasia Beverly Hills. Anastasia Beverly Hills' products have made everyone in the industry really step up their game when it comes to creating amazing quality and selections in the brow department. As much as I love almost all of Anastasia's products, NYX has come out with an amazing line of eyebrow products that are comparable to the infamous Anastasia Beverly Hills eyebrow pencil. These two eyebrow pencils are very similar, but the big question is: Is it worth spending a bit more money for the Anastasia Beverly Hills eyebrow pencil or sparing your bank account and buying the NXY eyebrow pencil?

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz
(Shade: Medium Brown)
Price: $21.00
You can buy this at: Sephora, Ulta, Macy's, and Nordstrom
http://www.sephora.com/brow-wiz-P202633?skuId=1394717&om_mmc=ppc-MSN&mkwid=ptfOvTgw&pcrid=11604371611&pdv=c&site=us_search&country_switch=us&lang=en

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is a brow pencil in a slender black and rose gold tube. The Brow Wiz comes in nine different shades which include: Taupe, Caramel, Auburn, Medium Brown, Soft Brown, Chocolate, Dark Brown, Ebony, and Granite. I think that this range of colors is a great selection for all hair colors, and they cover all of the undertones. The Brow Wiz is a duo-sided container with one side containing the actual eyebrow pencil and the other side containing a spoolie to brush the eyebrow. This eyebrow pencil is retractable so you can move the product up and down as necessary. The actual eyebrow pencil is thin and comes to a point so you can get a precise application. Since the pencil is so narrow, it allows the user to get a super precise and natural looking brow because you are able to draw hair-like stokes which creates the allusion of having a fuller or more perfect brow. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is a stern material which I personally love because I think that this gives you more control over the product which in turn makes it easier to create your desired shape. I love to set the Brow Wiz with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel. This brow gel sets the eyebrows so well without having to use too much product. A little bit truly goes a long way.

NYX Micro Brow Pencil
(Shade: Espresso)
Price: $9.99
You can buy this at: : Ulta, Target, and nyxcosmetics.com
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod12011193&skuId=2284052&CPMID=CSBING&CAWELAID=330000200000255557&catargetid=330000200000463933&CADEVICE=c

The NYX Micro Brow Pencil is a brow pencil that is in a slender black tube with white writing. The Micro Brow Pencil comes in eight different shades which include: Taupe, Blonde, Auburn, Chocolate, Ash Brown, Brunette, Espresso, and Black. I think that NYX came out with a good range of colors for someone who is looking for a brow pencil that is on the cool-toned side, but I think that they do not have as any options for people who are looking for a darker warm-toned brow pencil. The Micro Brow pencil is a duo-sided pencil that contains a pointed brow pencil on one side, and has a spoolie on the other side. The NYX brow pencil gives the same effect as the Brow Wiz, however it is a little bit harder than the Anastasia brow pencil. I know someone people love when their brow pencil is harder, but I think that it is a little harder than I would like it to be. When it comes to the presicion of the NYX Micro Brow Pencil, I think that it gives you a great result and you can obtain any shape you want with easy (you just have to use more pressure to get the color payoff you want.) The Micro Brow Pencil is by far the best eyebrow pencil I have ever found at the drugstore or for a drugstore
price!

When it comes to deciding which eyebrow pencil is worth buying, I think the results really depend on how much you want to spend or what your budget is. I personally like how my brows come out better when I use the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, but if I was on a money crunch, I would have no problem buying and using the NYX Micro Brow Pencil. These two eyebrow pencils are very similar to each other  and are both super stars in my eyes. However, if I had to choose between the two, I would choose the Anastasia Bevery Hills Brow Wiz because I like the fact that it is slightly more easy to work with.

All Photos By: Becky Schutten

Favorite MAC Blushes

Favorite MAC Cosmetic Blushes

Price: $17.00 - $27.00
You can buy this at: MAC Cosmetics, Macy's, and Nordstrom
www.maccosmetics.com

Having worked at MAC Cosmetics for a few years, I have tried every blush color and formula that they make on every skin type and every skin tone. MAC has a great selection of colors and textures of blushes that can meet anyone and everyone's needs and desires. They have a couple different types of blushes which include: the powder blushes, pro long wear blushes, mineralize blushes, and cream blushes. The powder blushes are the standard MAC blushes that they have the most color selection to choose from. The powder blushes have good staying power on the skin and can be blended easily for a smooth-looking application. The pro long wear blushes are a long wearing formula that is also easy to blend on the skin, but they are a little more dry in texture. There is less options in the pro long wear blushes than the powder blushes. The mineralize blushes are very pigmented and all of these blushes have a shimmer running through them that gives a glow to the skin. This formula has a smaller selection than most of the other formulas that are offered by MAC. Lastly, the cream blushes are creamy and glowing on the skin, and last very well. They are probably the most forgotten about formula when it comes to MAC blushes, but they are extremely beautiful and great to use under a powder blush for a more long-wearing effect. Most of these blushes are available in a pan form besides the mineralize blushes, so you can create your own custom blush palette.

Some of my favorite blushes from MAC can be used on any skin tone or skin type, but for reference I am a NC20 in MAC foundations.

Note: You can always go to a MAC store or counter to swatch these colors on your skin or have a MAC artist try them on you before you purchase.

Margin (Powder Blush): A neutral soft peach with gold shimmer.

Blushbaby (Powder Blush): A soft rosy pink with a beige undertone.

Pinch Me (Powder Blush): A deeper rosy coral.

Peaches (Powder Blush): A true peach.

Springsheen (Powder Blush): A peach with gold shimmer.

Ambering Rose (Powder Blush): A deeper rose with gold shimmer.

Pinch O' Peach (Powder Blush): A satin peachy pink.

Rhubarb (Powder Blush): A deep magenta.

Apple Red (Powder Blush): A true red.

All Photos By: Becky Schutten

Bomb or Bust: L'Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation

Bomb or Bust: L'Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation
Price: $16.99
You can buy this at: Ulta, Walgreens, Walmart, and CVS
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod13441004

The L'Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation is a liquid foundatioin that is saturated in a cushion. When I originally heard of this foundation, I didn't know what the difference was going to be between the True Match Lumi and the True Match Lumi Cushion. After using this new foundation for a couple of weeks, I have figured out that there are some significant differences between the two.

To start off, the True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation is different from the other L'Oreal True Match foundations because it is in a compact form with a cushion inside that soaks up the product to keep it in place. The packaging is a round rose gold and white circular compact that is opened from the front. When you initially open the foundation, it has a sponge that fits in the top compartment that you can use to apply the foundation. Personally, I do not use the sponge that it comes with because those type of sponges never give me the coverage that I am looking for. I think that this would have been better if L'Oreal had left the sponge out and gave you more of the foundation. When you open the compartment that contains the sponge, you will see the foundation soaked in the cushion. At first, it doesn't seem like you get a lot of product or that a limited amound of foundation will come out of the cushion onto your sponge or brush, but to my pleasant surpise you do get a decent amount of foundation. I like to use a Real Techniques Complexion Sponge to apply the True Match Lumi Foundation because I think that it gives me the best amount of coverage and doesn't soak up unnecessary amounts of product. I take the sponge and tap it lightly once in the foundation then apply it to the areas of my face that I am working on. This foundation gives a dewy, luminious look to the skin and is very buildable. You can wear it as sheer or as heavy coverage as you want. If you have any oil to your skin, I would suggest using a powder to set the foundation to prevent it from moving around throughout the day. After setting the True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation with a powder, I have found that it lasts me all day without breaking apart.

All in all, I would say that the L'Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation is bomb! Try it out!

Note: At my fairest, I am the shade W2.

All Photos By: Becky Schutten

Drugstore vs High-End: Real Techniques Complexion Sponge and the Beauty Blender

Drugstore vs High-End: Real Techniques Complexion Sponge and the Beauty Blender

Many people love using a sponge to apply their makeup, and I am one of them! Sponges are a great tool to use for a natural finish. In particular, using a sponge is a great way to make your makeup look less powdery. There are many different types of sponges on the market, but two of the more popular sponges are the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge and the Beauty Blender. These sponges are similar, but they do have their differences. Which is worth buying? The drugstore version? Or the high-end version?

Real Techniques Complexion Sponge
Price: $6.00
You can buy this at: Ulta, Kohl's, Walgreens, and realtechniques.com
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5960824

The Real Techniques Complexion Sponge is an orange sponge that has a rounded point at one end and a flat edge side on the other end. The sponge can be used wet or dry, but I would recommend using it wet because it gives you a more flawless coverage and appearance. The pointed side of the sponge is great for getting in the creases and edges around the face, as well as blending concealer under the eyes. I like to use the flat egde of the sponge to to apply my foundation and to blend in my contour, blush, and highlighter. When you wet the sponge, it becomes larger and softer which makes it easier to work with and manipulate it to the contours of your face. Also, you can use it dry to apply powder under your eyes to set your concealer or to bake your contour. This is a great sponge and is only around $6 depending on where you buy it.

The Beauty Blender
Price: $20.00
You can buy this at: Sephora, Macy's, and beautyblender.com
http://www.sephora.com/beautyblender-P228913?skuId=1151869&om_mmc=ppc-MSN&mkwid=jmvNOGUB&pcrid=11604382683&pdv=c&site=us_search&country_switch=us&lang=en

Note: Even though this the Beauty Blender is clean, it is permanently stained from foundation.

The Beauty Blender is a hot pink sponge that is completely round on one side and comes to a rounded point on the other end. You can use the Beauty Blender wet or dry, but like the Real Techiques Complexion Sponge I prefer to use it wet because of the finish it gives. I like to use the pointed end of the sponge for concealer under my eyes, as well as covering any blemishes or problem areas. Also, I like to use the rounded end to apply my foundation and to set my makeup with powder. The Beauty Blender comes in many different colors and sizes such as smaller ones that were made to apply concealer and blend makeup in the smaller contours of the face. The Beauty Blender is a great sponge to apply your makeup for a flawless look.

I have used both of these sponges many times and if I had to choose between the two, I would choose the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge. Even though I really do like the Beauty Blender, the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge is a fourth of the price. It does the exact same thing as the Beauty Blender, but works even better. The Real Techniques Complexion Sponge is a bit more dense than the Beauty Blender so I feel like it soaks up less product. Also, I have found that the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge is a lot easier to clean anddoes not stain like the Beauty Blender does.

All in all, I would choose the drugstore option... the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge.

All Photos by Becky Schutten

Bomb or Bust: Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquids

Bomb or Bust: Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquids

Cost: $6.99
You can buy this at: Ulta, Tartget, Walgreens and Walmart
http://www.target.com/p/maybelline-color-sensational-vivid-matte-liquid-lipcolor/-/A-49098564

When I was at the grocery store the other day, the new Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquids caught my eye. I had to pick up a few and try them out. Nothing is better than a lip product that lasts all day so you don't have to touch it up when you are on the go, and I usually find that liquid lipsticks last the longest on me. So naturally I had to pick up a few of my favorite colors to try out this new Maybelline formula.

To my delight, I really love them! No need to spend a ton of money on expensive liquid lipsticks when you get can these for under ten bucks (unless you are a makeup junkie like myself then you try to justify the purchase of everything you can get your hands on.) The Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquids are a thin cream-like texture and are super opaque. All you need is a light layer across the lips to create a full coverage effect. This is great because you are using less product which in turn will make the product last longer. The liquid lipstick has a flatter doe foot applicator which makes the application easier for creating a smooth lipline with the side of the brush. I have worn the Vivid Matte Liquids a couple of times and they have lasted up to six hours without coming off or bleeding. Even though this liquid lipstick is more on the creamy side, it does not feel thick on the lips and is not drying at all. It is very comfortable to wear throughout the day.

The Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquids come in ten different colors ranging from nudes to pinks to reds to purples. There is a good color for everyone with every skintone no matter what you lipstick preference is. I only bought three colors to test out the formula, but I definitely want to go back for more. The colors consist of: Nude Thrill, Nude Flush, Pink Charge, Electric Pink, Fuchsia Ecstasy, Orange Shot, Rebel Red, Berry Boost, Vivid Violet, and Possessed Plum.

All in all, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a lightweight long-wearing liquid lipstick!

Nude Thrill (5)

 

Nude Flush (10)

 

 

Rebel Red (35)

 

 

Photo Credits: Becky Schutten