I really loved everything about those glass bottles when I was younger.

Question of the Week: What’s your favorite CLASSIC skincare brand and your favorite NEW skincare brand?

Here's everything you need to know about me and my love of skincare. Somehow I skipped the Clinique phase in high school. I think I skipped skincare in general through most of high school, too. It wasn't a thing like it is now. (Impossible to believe, right?) But my dad did help me make something we called a zit sucker that would remove anything from a pore. I tell you this only to show how serious I was skincare, even though I didn't yet know it. Later,  I studied up on ingredients as a way to learn what might be effective and what wasn't, because I was poor and didn't want to get suckered. So I read a lot and I asked a lot of questions when I could. And I got serious about preventative skin care. I started blogging and gained access to loads of professionals and got to try a ton of stuff, across all price ranges. So knowing what I know now, here are a few of my favorites. Most of them relate to dull, dry skin with aging concerns.


Olay : Just wear the SPF every day and wait until your 30. Or any SPF. Just make sure it's a broad spectrum, please.

Neutrogena: They have great retinols if you are worried you might start to think about seeing fine lines or age spots.

Mario Badescu: This is my go-to line for fading age spots, once they legit show up. The Vitamin C Serum is amazing.

Pixi Beauty: Their Glow Peel Go pads are amazing at keeping the skin bright.

Your Best Face: This indie line has been killing its way into the mainstream for years. Each innovation truly works and is worth every single penny. Which is awesome, cause it's not the cheapest. The eye cream? Wait for the sale and stock UP. (And grab the scrub, shaving balm for your face (!!) and the brightening concentrate.)

It Cosmetics: I know I sound basic, but here's 100%. I work with It Cosmetics often; and I know I'm fortunate to have that opportunity. When I take a break from It, usually to try something from another line, I'm never as happy with my skin as I have been with It Cosmetics. When I stopped using their pot concealer, which is infused with their skincare, my eyes go back to looking tired and less refreshed. I know it's not as flashy, but my skin reacts so perfectly to their formulations.

Jan Marini Skincare: This line never disappoints. Ever. If you've got a concern or a need, Jan has an answer. Need something to speed the decay of peeling skin? She's got that. (I'm not kidding.)

What is your favorite line right now? And if you're wondering what you've missed this week in the world of beauty, check this out!

Gouldylox - Necessity will make you do strange things. This week, I tried to find a fast, easy way to clean makeup brushes with this really popular face cleaning gadget. Did it work or fail hard? You know you wanna know...

My Beauty Bunny - is sharing her thoughts on a $135 hand cream. Do you need it? It depends, click to find out!

Phyrra - Do you love capsule wardrobes? How about capsule makeup? I kick off my capsule makeup series with my Goth Capsule Makeup Collection!

we heart this - Check out five fall beauty must haves, starting at just $6.99! (But there's a $36 mini lipstick in there too, so don't get too excited...)

Blushing Noir - The NARS x MAN RAY Holiday 2017 Makeup Collection is one for the books! Brooke is sharing a ton of the products over on her blog but the one you need the most is definitely the NARS Double Take Overexposed Glow Highlighter.

EauMG - I’ve tried a luxurious frankincense and myrrh fragrance that is a perfect transitional fragrance that will take you from colorful autumn foliage to snowy winter days.

(Wondering what the Lipstick League is? Find out here.)

Question of the Week: If you could gift everyone 3 of your favorite beauty products, what would you give? I love this kind of question. Since we could be here forever, I'll pick the three things rocking my world, right now.




1. The Kinga Facial Scrubber: This uses ultra-sonic tech to compel sebum and gunk to pop out of your face. You can also use the other setting on the Kinga to force your skincare more deeply into the skin for even faster results. If you have a lot of dental work like me, be sure to puff out your cheeks before using the penetrating setting around your teeth. The price just dropped to around $30, so grab one while you can. My link is through Kinga via Amazon, so it's an original and not a fake.


2. VitaBrid C12 will change the appearance of your skin in less than a month, that's a fact. You add a little bit of this powder to your existing skincare and BOOM. Brighter, more radiant skin is yours really quickly. Combine it with the Kinga penetration setting and you won't believe the transformation.

This photo was take 2 days apart. The color of my hair changes depending on the lighting situation. IRL, the second one is closest to my actual color.

3. Keune Haircare is one hair line I wish I could just pass out like Oprah. You can't go wrong with them, no matter what kind of hair you have. While I can't live without their Blend De-frizz, Blend Gloss Spray or the Blend Prep Spray, I'm head over heels in love with the brand new Care Vital Nutrition Porosity Filler. I have terribly damaged split and wonky blonde hair. After one use, I have hair like Gwyneth 


Wondering what else you've missed this week in the world of beauty? Check out the latest and the greatest picks below, from our amazing Lipstick League team!

we heart this - fellow oil-slicks, we have found a holy grail in the MAC Next to Nothing pressed powder. Put down that blot sheet and come on over!

Beauty Junkies Unite - Amber's inner-child is jumping up and down for the China Glaze My Little Pony nail polish collection! Check out the review and swatches.

Clumps of Mascara - According to my 4-year old, the China Glaze My Little Pony collection is the best thing everrrrr.

Gouldylox - I can't believe the difference one product has made to my very damaged, delicate hair. I'm currently on my 8th good hair day in a row!

Phyrra - I've got an amazing Urban Decay giveaway; go enter!

Prime Beauty - The right makeup brushes can make all the difference in your look. Get a professional eye look with Beauty Junkees 8-pc. Eye Brush Kit and enter to win a set for yourself!

(Wondering what the Lipstick League is? Find out here.)

Grab your tote and hit the road! Just make sure you've packed a few essential items to stay gorgeous along the way.


Drip Dry: The phrase "wash and go" has never meant anything to me. That all changes when you start styling your hair in the shower. Living Proof's New Perfect Hair Day In-Shower Styler is actually the answer to summer hair. Here's how it works: Wash and condition as usual. Apply a little bit of the thick cream to your hair, from roots to ends. Then rinse lightly, making sure not to wash the product out. Comb your hair and scrunch. Now don't touch it until it's actually dry. For me, that means a little crunchy feeling. My hair hardens into a light weight shell and once that shell is 100% dry, I smooth it out and a left with super glossy, non-frizzy hair. I can't believe it works this well, especially on my very frizzy, very straight hair. While I don't get beautiful curls, I do get a slight wave and no frizz without any effort. // $24.00



Faux Ingénue : If you happen to see the Metallic Mattes in HD Gleam from Revlon, grab it. It's a beautiful shade of your lips but better, in a really light metallic, see through pink. It's too pretty to pass up and works anytime you need to look innocent. // $8.00



Be The Beach: Fake good hair with a little extra texture.  Try this Sea Salt Spray from KeraBotanica ($22.00), You Had Me At Hello. It will add a bit of baby texture and a sweet scent to your style, without overpowering anything. Want more texture? Step it up with Ecru's Dry Texture Spray ($26.00). A combo of texture and hold, this light spray adds volume and texture without any heavy buildup.



Golden Girl Forever: Stila's Heaven's Hue Highlighter is trying to trick you. Sure, two of the three shades work well as highlighters, but for pale girls, the Bronze is everything. It's such a light, golden shade, it works on eyes, cheeks and even as a little pop of summer if you brush it onto your hair. This would also be a gorgeous golden shade on darker skin tones as well. And it doubles as a shadow! // $32.00



Glow-getter: Don't leave home without a way to renew your glow. Pixi makes it easy to glow on the go with their Glow Tonic, Glow-On-The-Go AHA Wipes or the new Peel and Polish. Finish up your fresh face with GelTint and SilkGloss Lippies in long-wearing colors!

Question of the Week: Have you ever bought a beauty product solely for the packaging?

I probably can't count the number of pop up Too Faced and Stila palettes I've purchased because they're precious.  And I'm probably guilty of one or two Armani lippies along the way because of how sleek  and heavy they feel when you hold them. But that was then and this is now. Well-designed, earth-friendly, sleek and stylish packaging is my favorite right now. I think Ittse is doing a really nice job with this.

I received a new mascara last week and I can't believe how long it's making my lashes. You remember my lashes, right? Paltry, tiny, short, squat, invisible? Here's a photo to remind you. (AND I THOUGHT THEY LOOKED GREAT THEN.) Now check out how they look, below!



Is that a crazy before and after or what? Stop what you're doing and add Divaderme's Fiber Wings II Mascara into your mascara mix. I am getting the longest lashes ever and unless you try to twirl them, they aren't crumbling by 8pm. I'm starting with my own mascara (I used the new L'OREAL Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara in  the photo above) and added Divaderme on top.


You also need to check out the new Pixi by Petra GelTint and SilkGloss. These long wearing, hydrating glossy tints are perfect for the days of summer. I'm wearing Berry Tint above.



Need a new foundation and wondering what's new? Feed your skin while you get a hydrating and light feeling, yet full coverage foundation with CoverGirl's Vitalist Healthy Elixir Foundation. I'm super impressed with how this looks and wears...and I love that it's not overly dewy!


Finally, just in case you've missed it, YBF Skincare is having a half-off sale! I'm so impressed with how smooth the Eye Corrector makes my eyes appear - even when I'm smiling! (I'm wearing it above and the results are intense.) Use code Friend50 at checkout. Check out this post for all of the details! If you missed the sale this weekend, don't worry. It's back next weekend, too!

Need more beauty inspiration for the holiday weekend? Check out what you may have missed from the Lipstick League!



  Blushing Noir - The NARS Powermatte Lip Pigments are coming soon & NARS says they are their "most powerful matte yet". Yes… yes they are. See why I’m loving them and get swatches of ALL 20 SHADES here.

  Clumps of Mascara - I mean, if you’ve seen one liquid lipstick, you’ve seen them all, right? But wait…NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment are a whole ‘nother beast.

  EauMG - D.C.’s best niche perfume boutique has launched their first fragrance. It smells like juicy passion fruit!

  fanserviced-b - Need to take your anti-acne skincare to the next level? I’ve got three advanced tips for saving time and skin.

  Gouldylox - Your shipment of Naked Heat has just arrived...wondering how to wear it? Try it with these lippies!

  My Beauty Bunny - has gathered a list of 4th of July beauty deals, coupon codes and sales. Get em while they’re hot!

  Phyrra - Looking for budget-friendly skincare? I share my How to Create a Skincare Routine Guide with the Ordinary for all skin types. You'll love it!

  Prime Beauty - has found her Holy Grail Summer Foundation in Erborian's CC Créme. It provides coverage and skincare benefits with a feather-light feel!

  we heart this - Gloss lovers, have you tried Sara Happ One Luxe Gloss yet? Seven shades (including Rose Gold) of the dreamiest, creamiest gloss EVER.

  Beauty Junkies Unite - Amber is giving away a ZENMED skincare regimen valued at $181! Make sure to go over and get your entries in!

  (Wondering what the Lipstick League is? Find out here.)

  Blushing Noir is Currently Craving: The Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette. Those are my SHADES, you guys. I love em and I’m dying to recreate some of the awesome eye looks I’ve been seeing!

YBF Skincare is one of the few brands I trust to deliver real results without the glossy nonsense that goes into so many other lines. Darrell Owens, creator of Your Best Face skincare, has only ever been interested in making you love your skin. And it's apparent in every single product.


One of my absolute favorites is the YBF Eye Corrector. This hardworking eye cream instantly smoothes the under eye area and reduces puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles. While I don't personally have intense wrinkling around the eyes unless I smile, it's obvious that Eye Corrector flattens the skin surrounding the eye. It even changes how my eyes appear when I do smile, reducing the amount of wrinkling and the amount of time it takes my skin to bounce back after I smile.

This isn't the eye cream  meant for a 20-year-old. This is a hard-working, holy grail eye cream for those with actual fine lines, puffiness and dark circles. It's pricey at $150.00, but totally worth it. If your eyes look tired, this impressive cream is the answer. It's one of those products that if I had a magic wand and I could give it to you, I would. I've seen such a dramatic difference in the look of my eyes, I can't rave about this eye cream enough.

YBF Skincare is currently offering Friends and Family 50% off of the entire product line with code FRIEND50 6/30-7/3-2017 and 7/7-7/10/2017. Stock up while the price is right! (You're gonna love it!)

Question of the Week: Name three skincare products you’re currently loving...




My first pick is my new favorite moisturizer, Belli Basics Clearly Coconut Oil. This fractionated coconut oil is colorless, scentless and absorbs instantly into the skin. This coco-oil is always in a liquid form and sprays a list mist onto the skin.  It's pure coconut oil without the mess. // $7

Paula's Choice Skincare Resist Omega + Complex Serum serves up a superfood mature skin uses to thrive. Think of it as a jumbo dose of omega fatty acids that strengthen the skin. Stronger skin? Yes,please! // $36

The JeNu Plus Ultrasonic Infuser propels your favorite skincare products more deeply into the skin. This means your skincare works harder and you see results even faster. Using the JeNu with a hyaluronic acid can plump up fine lines (temporarily) if you really need to make an impression. The only downside is that it requires a gel. //$249

Got a question for everyone in the Lipstick League? Leave it in the comments! In the meantime, check out what you may have missed this week from your favorite Lipstick League'rs!


we heart this - fell in love with the on-trend and affordable jewelry from 7 Charming Sisters, and are having a $50 gift card giveaway so that you can fall in love too!

Beautygeeks - worried about a new beauty hack with sunscreen, so she contacted six experts - and they explained why you should worry too.

Beauty Junkies Unite - It's been a bit since we've done a giveaway over on Beauty Junkies Unite, so to get back into the swing of things -- head on over and enter to win a Sephora gift card!

Blushing Noir - Trying on clothes at the store is time consuming and, for me, always a fail. I tried Trunk Club from Nordstrom to gather a few staples into my wardrobe. It was a HUGE WIN. Learn more about the at-home styling service + see what was inside my first Trunk!

Clumps of Mascara - A blast from the past of an old makeup look I did when I thought I wanted to be a makeup artist. Brace yourself...

EauMG - I’ve fallen for a perfume that smells like a day on the boardwalk - ocean air, carnival food and suntan lotion. I don’t think this was its intention but it makes me happy, so I’m not complaining!

fanserviced-b - Korea’s favorite “natural” beauty brand Innisfree is set to open an NYC flagship and US shopping site later in 2017 — here’s why I’m pretty meh on this development.

Gouldylox - Have you seen the summer cheek collection that every #GIRLBOSS is talking about? Grab it before the 20% discount code expires!

My Beauty Bunny - The new Nightly Lip Treatment from Dermalogica saved my chapped and bleeding lips when NOTHING else worked!

Phyrra - I share my first impressions on the Urban Decay Naked Heat Collection! See the palette, lipsticks and eyeliners.

Prime Beauty - has a new and interesting way to choose a fragrance--by your Zodiac sign! Read the best scent for your sign!

  (Wondering what the Lipstick League is? Find out here.)

we heart this is Currently Craving: the Sephora Favorites Summer Hair Saviors collection. Sample dry shampoos, wave sprays, oil treatments and deep conditioners at a BIG discount (just $38 with a $94 value).

Question of the Week: Do you use body scrubs? If so, how often and what are some of your favorites?

 It's Lipstick League Sunday and today we're talking about scrubs. My favorite way to remove dead skin does not require a traditional scrub of any kind. I love to use a Hammam mitt. Once you buy one, for less than the price of a drugstore mascara, you'll have it for years and it will never lose the ability to help your body feel smoother, younger and softer. For days when you just want to use an actual scrub, I can't get enough of the smell of the A Girl's Gotta Spa Energizing Citrus Salt Scrub. Seriously, just yum. Or, if you love gadgets, check out this 7-1 Facial Massager and Cleanser. While the attachments are a little too small to use all over your body easily, you can smooth your heels, elbows and other rough skin in moments. This brush from GraceandStella.com comes with 7 interchangeable heads, including a facial massager. Truth: It's not the most sturdy piece of equipment ever made, but at $18.95, it's the perfect gateway gadget to see if splurging down the road is really what you want to do. How do you scrub? What should I try next?


Wondering what you've missed in the shiny, happy world of beauty this week? (I am too, actually. My new job is intense!) I did find some spare time during lunch to fal in love with these two palettes; The Glambition Palette from Ittse. and this one from Jouer. Did anything sparkly catch your eye? Here's what the rest of the League was digging or trashing this week.

Prime Beauty - is adding a little more oomph to her tresses with the new newest Luxurious Volume Collection by John Frieda and they are available at the drugstore!

we heart this - Which Urban Decay red lipstick is for you? We tried on 3 products and 13 shades to help you decide!

Beautygeeks - is convinced that for the sake of our skin health, we need to forget what the term “SPF” really means. No joke.

Blushing Noir - Of all of the influencer collabs, I’m so excited to share the ittse x Love for Lacquer The GLAMbition Collection! I’m in LOVE with what my friend Jess created with ittse. In the post you’ll also find a 20% discount code.

Clumps of Mascara - I hate summer but this new China Glaze nail polish collection might make me fall in love with summer juuuuuust a little bit.

  EauMG - Gallivant is a new collection of perfumes for urban explorers (and founded by the former creative director of L’Artisan). I’m totally in love with Tel Aviv, a cool fresh floral bathing in sunlight.

fanserviced-b - Glossier recently released their Invisible Shield sunscreen. I think you should give it a hard pass. Here’s why.

Gouldylox - Resurface your skin while you sleep and skip the irritation! It's not too good to be true, I swear!

My Beauty Bunny - I'm so hooked on Pixi skin care lately! Read about my faves here.

Phyrra - Find out what I've been loving in my latest video, May Beauty Favorites!

(Wondering what the Lipstick League is? Find out here.)

One of my favorite trips of all time was in 2014 when Loxy and I got to head to Ireland. You've just never seen green like it grows in Ireland.

This is one view of the town of Cashel, where I wrecked the car. The roads are so small!

Nice people, lots of fuzzy sheep and really tiny roads (if binge-watching Master of None was on your weekend menu, then you've seen the wedding episode and know exactly what I'm talking about). Despite my fears of driving stick shift on the other side of the road, I'd jump at the chance to go back to Ireland. Which might just be why this skincare line from Ireland piqued my interest!

Pestle & Mortar, was created as a way to improve the look of the skin of the models who appeared in the photography of Padraic Deasy. Tired of dry and patchy looking skin on shoots, Sonia Deasy, Padraic's wife, worked with her sister, a biochemist, to create a formula that would repair the skin while renewing its appearance. One of their creations is Superstar, which uses a non-traditional form of retinol that delivers the results of a retinol, but without the redness or irritation often associated with retinols.



Superstar is also cruelty-free, fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types. I've been applying one pump at night, after cleansing for a few weeks. I'm definitely starting to see a difference in how smooth my skin is. Plus, the ultra-pure, cold-pressed grape seed oil leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. The downside to retinol esters (or Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, the fancy name for the type of retinol in Superstar) is that they can lose efficacy if exposed to sun or air. Superstar Retinol Night Oil uses an airless pump and black packaging to protect every last drop of the oil until you use it.

At $109.00, Pestle & Mortar's Superstar Retinol Night Oil it's definitely a bit of a luxe jump. But if you want a skin-soothing retinol that won't irritate the skin, it's worth every penny. Sign up for their emails and save, plus get free shipping on anything over $40.00. 

Have you tried this? Tell me all about your experience in the comments below!