Double Duty: Lipstick and Tooth Whitener in One!

I've never seen anything like this before and I'm super excited about it!! Hard Candy has come out with an amazing product--a lipstick and tooth whitener hybrid!

In the past, I've seen lipsticks that claim to make your teeth appear whiter and brighter, but it was all based on the shade.  Hard Candy's Megawatt Smile Lipstick and Tooth Whitener is actually two separate products combined for easy access.

You get a creamy, vibrant lip color with a shimmer center at one end. On the other end is a tooth whitener to keep your smile the brightest one in the room.


The lipstick on its own is great.  It comes in eight fab colors, so you're sure to find something you like. Even though it's technically a "lipstick", I'd say it's more of a tinted lip balm.  The color is fairly sheer.  Also the formula is quite moisturizing (which is super important during the Winter!)

As for the tooth whitener, it works like any other brush-on whitener out there.  It works and you can use it on the go.

It's a really great product to keep in your purse for quick touch-ups.

The duo retails for $6 and is available exclusively at Walmart.

How to Determine Your Skin Tone ( and What Makeup to Wear With it)!

There's nothing worse than seeing someone all made up, with a shade of foundation that clearly doesn't match their skin.  This honestly looks like you're wearing a mask.  Not flattering at all.


Figuring out your skintone is so important when it comes to choosing the right makeup.  You need to be aware of your own skin to determine what you wear over it.

Most women fall into one of these categories:

• If you tan easily and do not burn, your skin's natural melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color) level is higher, and you most likely have a yellow-to-olive undertone.
• Those who burn and either tan minimally or not at all have significantly less melanin, which results in a pink, bluish-red, or ruddy skin tone. In addition, look for telltale signs: a ruddy skin tone has obvious signs of redness or is one that tends to flush easily. Some neutral skin tones fall into this category, particularly if rosacea is a factor.
  
• If a yellow (usually referred to as "sallow") tone is predominant, you'll notice that a foundation, concealer, or powders with too much yellow will make skin look worse, not better.
  
• Olive skin tones tend to look somewhat ashen or gray, from the combination of the natural yellow undertone everyone has and the greenish hue that’s unique to olive skin of any depth.
  
• Neutral skin tones are those with no obvious overtones of olive, sallow, or pink.

These categories hold true for all women, including women of color; your underlying skin color will always relate to one of these skin tones. 

Once you have your skintone figured out, it becomes a lot easier to find makeup.

When you’re testing foundation shades, it is critical to identify your overall underlying skintone and find a foundation that matches it and blends in perfectly.

Regardless of which category you fall into, trying foundation on and making it sure it matches your skin (especially in daylight) is the best way to get a color that looks natural, not like you’re wearing foundation or, even worse, a mask.

Fresh Faced: Almay Smart Shade Powder Blush

As I wandered around CVS today, I stumbled upon a total beauty gem!  Almay's Smart Shade Powder Blush is simply amazing.

I've always been a fan of their Smart Shade products--I don't know how Almay does it, but somehow all of the products magically match my super pale skintone (a real feat).

So when I saw this blush, I got super excited!  I literally ran home to try it out.  The pink/rose color is what I went with, though there are two other, darker, options.  The pink seems to be the lightest and I had a feeling it'd work for me.

As with all their Smart Shade products, the blush contains a self-adjusting formula that is perfect for your skin.  It looks different on everyone--depending on your own personal skintone, you actually get the perfect "you" shade of blush!


I can't find these guys online, but you can find them in drugstores like CVS and Walgreens.   I imagine that as it becomes more popular it'll be all over the place.  I got mine for under $7.

LOVE it!

Holiday Gift Guide: Girly Bows

Bows are the ultimate girly accessory.  Whether you wear a top with a bow detail, or bust out a blinged out bow necklace, they always look fabulous.  Bows simply never go out of style.

I'm obsessed with these Metal Bow Elastics from Henri Bendel.

They're perfect to wear when you just feel like throwing your hair up in a ponytail because they add to the look.

Bows are not for little girls anymore. Whether you want to add a little glam to a silky updo or are looking to hold back rope braids, these precious, chic elastics are the perfect glittering accent.  And since they have a little bling to them, they're perfect to wear for holiday parties.

As a bonus, you can use these as bracelets! Gotta love products that have multiple uses!

They make a great gift for anyone, but of course I highly suggest you also buy a set of your own.  Each set retails at $28.

Lusting for Leopard

I've always had a thing for leopard print.  I honestly don't know what draws me to it, but whenever I see something cute with the print, I simply must have it.

One of the main reasons I'm so obsessed is that leopard print never really seems to go out of style.  Leopard print accessories always look fabulous.

My latest find? Deflex by Dexter's Kappy Cap-Toe Pump.  How gorgeous are these shoes??!

I love everything about them. Obviously, the print, the 3 inch heel (not too high for me to walk around in), and the toe "cap".  Together, all these things create a fantastic pair of shoes.

Bonus--the shoes are on sale for under $17!

Fashion Faux Pas: Meggings

For some ungodly reason, male leggings (or "meggings") are popping up all over the place.

I'm terribly disturbed by this.

Leggings are tough to pull off in general.  I tend to only wear them under a cute dress or skirt.  I'm not really a fan of wearing them on their own.  Since they're so tight, they can be uncomfortable and show off your assets in a super unflattering way.

But apparently, there are oodles of men out there who find meggings totally acceptable to wear on their own.

Umm...I honestly cannot believe this is an actual trend.  Not only are they ugly as hell, they're also completely unpractical.  Not many guys carry around handbags (another pet peeve of mine), so they generally carry their wallets in their pocket.  Unfortunately, meggings do not have pockets, so I have no idea how these guys carry their stuff around.

When I was doing community theater, there were always a couple guys who were forced to wear tights for our plays.  And of course, they hated it.  Who are these meggings marketed for??!'

Oh and by the way, pairing them with manly boots doesn't make the look acceptable.

That is all.

Wine + Makeup = the Best Gift Ever!

I'm loving this awesome hybrid gift from Clos du Bois.  They've teamed up with Pixi (one of my fave makeup brands) to create their Rouge Cosmétique set.

The set includes a bottle of of 2009 Clos du Bois Rouge Red Blend wine, and some of Pixi's fab wine-inspired beauty products.

In addition to the wine, you get Rouge water tint liquid blush, Rouge lip gloss, Rouge nail polish, and a super classy makeup bag.

The wine on it's own is great, but the makeup set that comes with it? Simply sublime.

Each set is $30.  It makes a great gift, and the price is very reasonable.

Only want the beauty set? No prob. You can get it on its own for $19.

Sniff This: Bombshell Diamonds

It's a well-known fact that diamonds are a girl's best friend.  Victoria's Secret's latest holiday fragrance, Bombshell Diamonds, captures the glamorous feel that diamonds have.

When I first heard of the scent, I couldn't wait to try it out.  I've always loved the fragrances that Victoria's Secret offers up.  But--let's be real here--the idea of smelling as alluring as diamonds are just sounds plain awesome.

True to form, the scent is amazing (and boyfriend approved)! It really does smell the way you would expect from a "diamond" perfume.  It's seductive, elegant and ultra glam all at once.  This is a scent that's perfect to wear for a night out.

Bombshell Diamonds is definitely diva-licious.  Though it is a powerful scent, it's not overwhelming or heavy.  It contains raspberry pulp, pink pepper, passion fruit, mandarin and pear sorbet for the main notes. The central notes are litchi blossom, ginger lily, hypnotic jasmine, brilliant poppy and juicy plum. The scent lingers with sensual notes of sandalwood, creamy musk, white amber crystals, frosted vanilla crème and warm cedar.

It sounds like a lot packed into one fragrance, but somehow it works!

And can we just talk about the bottle? Per usual, I'm obsessed.  The bejeweled bottle looks like it's literally dripping with diamonds and glamour.  This is definitely a bottle to put on display.

The scent is $55 for a 1.7 oz. bottle. A little goes a long way with this stuff.  Accompanying products include body mist and shimmer lotion. You can buy the products in stores and online.

So, give in to glamour and give the gift of smelling great this holiday season! And, of course, treat yourself to some of that glam!

Disclosure: This post contains a product sent for review consideration. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

How to Get Long, Lushious Lashes

One of the first things I notice about someone is their eyes.  It's usually the first thing that anyone notices about us.  Since they are basically the focal point of the face, they deserve special attention.

Most of us love the old Hollywood glamorous, classic look with super lush lashes. Getting that look is the ultimate goal.  You can apply tons of eye makeup, but really it all comes down to the lashes.

There are so many products out there that promise to make your lashes look longer, or more full.  But there simply isn't a magic eyelash enhancing product. trust me; I've tried them all.

However, you can have great looking lashes with nearly any mascara.  It's the application that makes the difference.

Here's how to get clump-free, gorgey lashes:

• Curl your lashes. It's the most important thing to do--it opens up your eyes.  It takes all of two seconds and it makes the biggest impact.  Wearing mascara on stick straight lashes just looks stupid.
  
  
• When you're applying mascara, start at the base of your lashes, then slowly move up the lashes, wiggling your brush from side to side. This keeps your lashes from clumping together.
  
  
• Random fact:  for fuller lashes, it's a good idea to use a waterproof formula. They are usually a little bit thicker than regular mascaras (I have no idea why).
  
  
• A great application tip for thicker lashes is to coat both sides of your lashes. This isn't something most people think of, but it really helps. You'd think it would weigh them down, but it actually does the opposite.  Coating both sides of your lashes makes them look more voluminous.
  
  
• When applying mascara to your bottom lashes, hold your brush horizontally, and lightly brush your bottom lashes. Lightly is the key word.  Applying thick coats to your lower lashes can easily create a "spider-eye" effect.
  
  
• I know this is going to sound crazy, but I actually apply up to five coats of mascara at a time.   My secret is using a mix of mascaras (one for lengthening, one for volume, etc.) and using a spoolie in between each coat to get rid of clumps.  A spoolie is basically a disposable mascara wand.  They're super cheap and make a huge difference in the finished look.  Check out my post about my obsession with these little wonder wands here.

Go by these tips and I promise that your lashes will look gorgeous and give your eyes some extra glamour. Pinky swear.

The Perfect Gift from Kiss My Face (and a GIVEAWAY!!!)

Kiss My Face is one of those brands that I am constantly obsessed with.  Their products are amazing, organic, and very reasonably-priced.

For the holidays, KMF has put together this adorable All Natural Gift Basket.  I really can't think of anyone who wouldn't want it!  The set includes a duo of their fab moisture hand soap and their moisturizers in the latest Coconut and Pomegranate Acai scents.  It's basically like two gifts in one!


I've used the moisturizer in the past and absolutely love it.  My skin is ridiculously sensitive, so finding a moisturizer that keeps my skin looking pretty while smelling yummy is a very difficult feat.  But because KMF products are made from natural ingredients, they work wonders on any skin type.  The same goes for their hand soap--in fact, KMF is the only line of hand soap that doesn't irritate my skin.

The new scents smell fantastic. Pomegranate Acai smells fresh, fruity and lovely.  The Coconut scent gives off a great beachy vibe.

At $23.50, it's the perfect gift for anyone (and at that price, you can even buy yourself a set!)

Now for the best part:  KMF has teamed up with Sassy Fashionista for a holiday giveaway.  I have one of these sets to give to a lucky reader!  

To enter the giveaway, send an email to sassyalana@gmail.com with the subject line reading "KISS MY FACE".  The giveaway ends 12/16 and the winner will be alerted via email.

Good luck, ladies!!

Disclosure: This post contains a product sent for giveaway consideration. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Fashion Faux Pas: Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Since the holidays are rapidly approaching, it's time for my annual "anti-ugly-Cristmas-sweater" post.

In recent years, people have been wearing ugly Christmas sweaters more and more; half of them simply because they're ugly and they think it's funny.

Well, guess what? The joke's on you because you look like an idiot.

I stumbled upon this gem of a picture and almost peed my pants. This lovely couple is breaking at least three fashion violations: wearing matching outfits, wearing ugly Christmas sweaters, and the guy is wearing a scarf.  Guys in scarves are a whole other issue.

Regardless, the matchy-matchy Christmas couple look is not okay.  I don't care if you get invited to an "ugly Christmas sweater party" (which seems to be the latest craze), it's still ugly.  I don't get the appeal.  When I go to holiday parties, I like to look my best.  Maybe I'm crazy, but when did looking like shit become a celebration??!

If you own an ugly holiday sweater, get rid of it now. And if you know any fash-holes who owns one, please report the offenders to me and I'll make sure they go to fashion jail.

Look Pretty For a Good Cause

Mark (a sub-group of Avon), always has gorgeous, well-made products.

They're also constantly selling items in which proceeds are donated to a good cause.  Their latest M.Powerment Gift Set is a perfect example of this.

The set includes a fab lipstick in a brand new shade, m.powerment petal.  It's a pinkish/nude hue, so it works on nearly any skintone.  I've tried their lipsticks before and I absolutely love them.  They apply super smoothly and are ultra moisturizing.  On its own, it's a great buy.  I'm also a huge fan of the pink tube it's packaged in.

In addition to the lipstick, the set includes a purse-sized mirror in glimmering shades of pink.  Again, I'd even buy this product on its own.  It's just so pretty! And the fact that it's pink doesn't hurt.

The set actually makes a great gift.  I'd stock up on these and hand them out to your fellow ladies for Christmas!

The best part is that 100% of the proceeds from each set (about $18) is immediately donated to the m.powerment by mark foundation.  It's a philanthropic initiative dedicated to breaking the cycle of dating abuse and partner violence.


A shocking 1 in 4 women will be abused by a partner in their lifetime. I honestly had no idea it was that bad.

So help out and buy this gorgey set for $24. It's a great cause that gives you an excuse to buy some pretty lipstick and a mirror. How can you say no to that?!

Show Some State Pride!

It's rare that I find anything New Hampshire-related that isn't super tacky.  Even though I'm not in love with the place (Boston will always be my "home" no matter where I live!), I still have a soft spot for the Granite State.

These adorable State Pride Necklaces from Kris Nations immediately caught my attention.  There's nothing remotely tacky about them, in fact they're quite dainty, measuring in at about a 1 inch square.  Each state is a little different, as they're in the shape of the state you choose, but they're roughly around the same size.  Personally, I love the fact that tiny New Hampshire is just as large as the California charm!

I just think these charms are very charming (hahaha I'm hilarious).  Since they're so small, they look like any other pretty necklace out there, but upon a closer look, it's clearly your state and is a very unique piece of jewelry.

All of the states are available and come in your choice of silver or gold.  Lived in a few different places like me?  Buy a few different necklaces and wear them together for an eye-catching look!

You can get these fab baubles for under $50.

Holiday Gift Guide: BaubleBar & Essie Gift Set

In the past, I haven't really been "matchy-matchy" with my nail polish. I like it to stand out, rather than blend in with whatever I'm wearing.

That said, I really like the idea of matching your nails to your jewelry! This season, BaubleBar and Essie (two of my fave brands) have teamed up to create awesome combos of polish and bangles. I absolutely love it.

The idea is really cool. I mean, I love nail polish, and I love bracelets, so it's really a match made in heaven. I don't think that the result is overkill, as long as your outfit doesn't have the same main color and the set that you choose.  Matching your nails to a bangle gives you the option to go for bold nails, with any outfit, without worrying whether or not the hue goes with what you're wearing.  No matter what, you'll have an accessory that matches, so it's really foolproof.

Each set includes the polish, matching bangle, and two neutral bangles of your choice.  You're essentially creating your own unique look that is guaranteed to look fantastic.

Each set is $50 and makes a fabulous gift for any gal out there (and obviously for yourself).

Late Night? Quick Morning Beauty Shortcuts

With all the holiday parties and late nights out, every minute counts when you're getting ready in the morning.  It can be super frustrating.  Even though I rarely leave the house without a full face of makeup, I still often times pick sleeping later than bothering with the whole entire makeup thing.

Luckily, there are a few shortcuts that make it okay to hit the snooze button a few times.

Go Dry Over Wet
Liquid foundation always takes longer to apply than powder.  I personally also tend to add powder on top of foundation to avoid any shine, so it totally defeats the purpose.  If you have an actual powder foundation, it can take only a minute to apply.  Bonus?  You can keep the compact in your bag and use it for touch-ups during the day.  You just can't do that with liquid foundation.

Do Quickie Eye Makeup
Just forget all the craziness of applying multiple eyeshadows and liner. This is usually what takes up the most time in the morning for me.  All you need to do to look put-together is simply apply a dark-ish shadow to the outer corners of your eyes (make sure to blend!), curl your lashes, and apply a bit of mascara.  This look takes so little time, but instantly makes you look more awake and pretty.

Leave Hair Down
Pulling your hair into a sloppy ponytail might seem like a good idea, but it basically screams, "I didn't have time to get ready!" Instead, use some dry shampoo to quickly "wash" it.  Spray it on around your roots (and any other greasy areas, rub it in, brush it out, and you'll have perfect hair in a matter of minutes.

Run to Work (or Wherever You Have to Go)
Seriously.  A little exercise will immediately brighten your complexion and add some color to your cheeks!

Here's what you need:

Fashion Faux Pas: Horrifying Jean Sandal Boots

Umm...wow. When I first saw these "shoes" (I'm using the word loosely), I honestly thought they were a joke.  I mean, look at them! There are so many things that make them look ridiculous--the denim factor, the sandal/boot hybrid and just the over all ugliness...They look like a stupid craft project that someone in middle school made in home ec.

But, for some ungodly reason, these shoes actually exist.  They're sold by Discount Women's Dress Shoes. They retail for about $16.

I just don't get it.  Aside from the fact that these shoes are ugly as hell, they're simply unpractical.  Apparently these shoes are made to be worn "year-round" and that bothers me.  I wear my sandals in the summer and my boots in the winter like a normal person.

They look like someone just had an old pair of jeans and wanted to use the fabric for something crafty. I'm sorry, but denim shoes in general are unacceptable.  And the fact that these are not only made of denim, but actually have the pockets and everything that cut-off jeans have makes the problem even worse.

Who do these people expect to buy super ugly jean sandal/boots?! There is literally no climate in which it would be acceptable.

I'm honestly so upset by these shoes.  I cannot even express how much I hate them in words.  But I will say this--if I EVER see anyone wearing these ridiculously hideous sandal/boots, I will personally punch them in the face. Yep, it's a legitimate threat.

Oh and if you think that buying the corduroy version is okay, I'll probably send out a hit man.

That is all.


[Image Credit: The Frisky]

What's in My Makeup Bag: Holiday Edition

Because I have such a ridiculous amount of makeup, I usually go through all of it every month or so to rotate between products.  I seriously think I own more makeup than anyone else out there (though I'm sure some of my fellow beauty bloggers are right up there with me!)  This is the only way I can maximize the use of all my fab products.

The holiday season is super important, makeup-wise, for me.  I like everything to be a bit more shimmery and dramatic.

So, here's an inside look of my holiday makeup bag!  Since the list is pretty long (what? I'm obviously makeup obsessed!), so I bolded the very most important for those of you who don't want to go down a crazily long list.  

Enjoy!

• L'oreal Studio Secrets Magic BB Cream ($12.99) -- I waited a while to actually give BB cream a go, but I absolutely love it! I apply it before anything else and it leaves my skin looking amazing. I don't usually need foundation when I use it--everything looks fresh and even.
• Vapour Organic Beauty Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation ($48) -- I don't really tend to wear foundation.  But when I do, this is what I use.  It's a little pricey, but is the best foundation out there.  It feels so lightweight on my skin, blends amazingly, and lasts all day long.
• Pixi Correction Concentrate Concealer in Brightening Peach ($15) -- Love, love, love this concealer.  The peach in it really helps to cover up any under-eye circles I've got going on and is perfect for spot treatment.  The creamy formula covers without looking cakey.  I also use it as an eyeshadow primer.
• ELF Studio Transculent Matifying Powder ($6) -- This powder is awesome for days when my skin looks a bit on the oily side, or when I need to cover up any spots without drawing attention to the area.
• theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer Luminizer ($20) -- This stuff is amazing.  Not only is it a great illuminating face powder; it's also fab as a light eyeshadow for under the browbone and on the inner corner of the eye.  It brightens up the face and gives that "glow from within" look.  Also it's very well pigmented, so you get a lot of bang for your buck.  I've had this powder forever, use it almost daily, and I still have tons left.
• Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Excite ($26) -- This isn't a well-known brand in the states, but our friends across the pond created this fantastic brand; once I tried it, I became obsessed with a lot of their products.  The blush is great.  This particular shade works for all skintones and really mimics the color that most cheeks get when you're actually blushing.  Very pretty.
• Hard Candy Single & Loving It Eyeshadow in Flirty ($9) -- I love Hard Candy's comeback! I loved all their crazy nail polish colors in the '90s, and all of their new makeup is amazingly awesome.  This eyeshadow comes in tons of colors, which are all great, but this particular light pink is really pretty.  There's a bit of shimmer to it, and just brightens up the whole eye.  Bonus? You can use it as a face illuminator too!
• ELF Mineral Eyeshadow in Golden ($7) -- This is another pretty, light shadow. It's very pigmented (as are all their shadows). I especially love to use it on the inner corners of the eye when I'm doing a brown smoky look.  It's packs on the shimmer, so I tend to save it for nighttime.
• Sonia Kashuk Eye Shadow Quad in Paris at Night ($13.69) -- All the quads are great, but these hues are really perfect for the traditional smoky eye.  It includes a silver shimmer, two metallic-ish silver/grey, and a matte black shadow.
• Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Coffee Shop ($19) -- If I'm going for a neutral brown eye look, this is what I use.  The ligher shade is a good base and the darker hue is nice for definition without being too dark.  It's perfect for a natural, daytime look.
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Midnight Cowboy Rides Again ($15) -- A really pretty light brown (almost taupe) that packs on the shimmer. Takes a natural eye look up a notch. I like to add it over my daytime makeup if I'm going out for some extra pizzazz.
• L'oreal 24 Hour Infallible Eyeshadow in Continuous Cocoa ($8) -- This is a dark brown, perfect for doing a brown smoky eye, or to use as liner. It really does last all day (though I'm not really one to try it out for the whole 24 hours haha).
• L'oreal 24 Hour Infallible Eyeshadow in Perpetual Purple ($8) -- The perfect purple.  It makes my green eyes pop everytime I wear it.  It's a nice bright shade that isn't too crazy for daytime, but can also be built up for a night out.
• L'Oreal Paris HiP Studio Secrets Professional Concentrated Shadow Duo in Showy ($3) -- I really love this duo.  Now's a good time to try wearing brighter colors (especially at holiday parties) and the beauty of this particular duo is that it can be used as a sheer wash of color, or built up using both colors to create a bolder look.  Surprisingly, these colors actually look good on almost anyone.
• L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mistake-Proof Marker Eyeliner in Black ($5.50) -- This stuff really is mistake-proof! IU love the look of liquid liner, but even with my ridiculous makeup obsession, I still have some difficulty applying it.  In marker form, it applies super easily. I love wearing it slightly winged-out with a bright red lipstick for a cute party-ready look.
• ELF Essential Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Midnight ($4.50) -- Same idea as L'oreal's eye marker, but in a really pretty dark navy color.  Blue liner used to be a faux pas after its stint in the 80s.  But it's back and better.  This particular shade really is a "midnight" hue; that describes it perfectly.  At first glance, it looks like a normal black liner, but the blue makes your eyes look brighter and the result is gorgey.
• ELF Essential Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Purple ($4.50) -- The same idea as above, but the purple is a bit more bright.  It also sets off my green eyes really well.
• Clinique Cream Shaper For Eyes in Egyptian ($22) -- Clinique's eyeliners are, undoubtedly, the best pencil liners out there.  No debate.  This particular color is super unique.  It's like a mossy green, but with brown overtones.  It's a color that I've never seen in a liner before and I absolutely love it.
• Maybelline Great Lash BIG Mascara in Blackest Black ($4) -- Great Lash has always been one of my beauty staples.  You can get it at any drugstore and it works just as well as any expensive mascara out there.  The newer BIG mascara is just like the classic one, only bigger and better.  If I were stranded on a desert island and could only have one makeup item, this would be it.
• Maybelline Great Lash Limited Edition Blink of Blue Mascara ($5) -- Kind of on the same page as the blue liquid liner.  It doesn't make your lashes look bright blue, like some sort of crazy person, but it adds just enough blue (a "blink", if you will) to make eyes really pop.  Even if I'm not using this particular one, blue mascara is really good to have on hand.
• Hard Candy Lashaholic in Black ($13) -- I actually just bought this and don't know how I lived without it.  It adds tons of volume to lashes, and the applicator has little teeth that prevent clumping even if you use a few coats.
• Hard Candy Lash Tinsel in Voodoo ($5) -- SO great for parties.  It comes in a handful of colors, but of course the purple is my fave.  Even though it's a glitter mascara, this stuff doesn't make your eyes look like glitter central. Rather, this non-chunky, fine glitter just adds a little bling to your eyes.  I've also tried the gold hue in my hair--same result--doing a few strands really makes your hair look extra pretty.

Okay, so that's a lot longer than I originally thought...Obviously I don't wear all of this at once every single day.  But hopefully it helps you guys get a glimpse into my current makeup world, and maybe even gave you some ideas!