How to Flawlessly Apply Lipstick or Lipgloss

Everyone knows that "practice makes perfect" but what if there were shortcuts? Chances are, your lipstick or gloss isn't always going to look photoshoot ready, but taking care of your lips and learning the best type of application for lip products can dramatically improve your results. With a swipe of pretty pink or fierce red, you can alter your whole persona...so why mess it up with feathering lipstick and uneven gloss? These tips and tricks will ensure you an impeccable pout, so purse your lips, my lovelies!

• Smooth your lips. Take a spoonful of sugar and add a couple sprinkles of water until it becomes a thick paste. Apply it to your lips generously and softly brush with your toothbrush for 30 seconds on each lip. Rinse off. Apply lip balm.
• Protect your lips. Apply lip balm (I prefer Burt's Bees Ultra Conditioning) a couple minutes before you do your makeup. This gives your lips time to absorb the moisture and soften. Blot off before you apply any other lip products.
• Line around your lips with concealer. This not only helps you reshape your lips how you want them, but also protects your lip line and keeps your lip products in line. Be sure to blend it in with your skin so that it isn't noticable.
• Line and fill in your lips. Line your lips with lip liner and fill your whole lip in with the same shade lip liner. This not only helps against feathering and smudging, but gives your lipstick/lipgloss something to hold onto.
• Apply your lipstick/lipgloss with a brush. Using a brush gives you more control over the product itself and where it is applied. You can reach the small corners and paint over each curve with ease.
• Blot and reapply. Give it a minute or two and blot (gently) before applying another layer of lipstick or gloss (you don't have to use a brush this time). Taking the time to blot and reapply really helps the product stay on longer and look even more vibrant.

Perfect lips don't have to take an insane amount of skill or time. These steps may seem like a lot, but when you actually do it, it's much quicker and gives you the results you want every single time. Follow these steps and I promise, you'll have no problem looking your best at any given moment.

xoxo,
TrinaD. <3

Review: Maybelline Volum' Express the Mega Plush gel/mousse Mascara

"The Mega Plush" - Maybelline

        Whether you're strolling through Sephora or Walgreens, there never seems to be a shortage of mascara. Some, promising longer, doll-eyed lashes, others...thick, lush lashes that frame your eyes like a curtain. While "break-through" advances in the beauty world are constantly popping up and on the shelves, many disappoint. I, myself, have had my fair share of broken promises and when I saw the new ad for this "amazing new gel/mousse mascara", I forgot all my past failures and decided to give it a chance, despite the obviously fake lashes in the photo. In other words, I couldn't resist. Oh, beauty products have always been my weakness, and in this case, how glad am I that it is...

Pros: the "flexor-brush", no clumps, brush size, soft lashes, longer lashes

Cons: not much volume, semi-long dry time

Sure, there are other mascaras that you can angle the brush/head with, however, this was built to be angled and stays in that position until you move it. This not only makes my life slightly easier but also helps reach the small corner lashes too. Along with the new gel/mousse formula, comes the disappearance of clumps. You might get one clump once in a while, but significantly less than with other brands of mascara. I also like the brush size, a lot. It's not too big, but just the right size for me to quickly apply mascara without having it stab my poor eye. (Never a dull day with me, my friends...) The new formula also gives you great, soft supple lashes that aren't flaky or brittle, as promised. While it does make my lashes look longer, I don't really notice a difference in volume and compared to some other brands/types of mascara, the drying time seems a tad bit longer.

My Final Decision: Overall, it's a good mascara. Clump free, long, and soft lashes that will surely make your eyes the focal point. While the volume was a bust, the product itself is not. Yes, my lovelies...I recommend.

xoxo,
TrinaD. <3