Lips 'N Nips!

I have to admit, the name of this product is roughly half the reason I decided to write about it.

Dr. Lipp's Original Nipple Balm For Lips is technically for lips.  Why the nipple reference? Originally, it was made for sensitive nipples. Hence the name, and my initial intrigue.

But it gets even better than a simple lip product with a fun name. The product is actually a 100% natural, ultra-rich, long-lasting lip moisturizer and gloss. It's everything you could possibly want in a moisturizing lip product.

Because it has been medically proven to heal skin irritations, it's perfect for the sensitive skin on, and around, your lips.  And since it is completely natural, it's super effective in helping to heal even the driest and most sensitive skin. You can use it all over your body if you want! Basically, anywhere that needs some TLC can easily benefit from this super hydrating product.

On a personal note, this stuff is even specifically helpful for people with eczema (like me)!  It is hypoallergenic, tasteless, and odorless, which is all great for any type of sensitive skin. Another bonus? It repels new bacteria from entering your skin, and helps heals burns, abrasions, and minor incisions.

That said, you can use the "nipple balm" regardless of your skin type and end up with lush, ultra gorgeous lips (or nips!)

Fun fact:  this miracle cream is proven to reduce skin roughness by up to 40% in one hour. Pretty amazing, right??!

Each tube is about $15.

For the Man in Your Life: Vince Camuto Cologne GIVEAWAY!!!

My boyfriend is honestly obsessed with Vince Camuto's Mens Eau De Toilette. I've never seen anything like it. And, truth be told, he's not really the type of guy who is easily impressed by fragrances.  I'm also a pretty big fan myself--the scent is super yummy!

From the "James Bond"-esque look of the bottle to the scent itself, it's hard not to fall in love with Vince Camuto's fab fragrance.

The cologne has notes of black pepper, nutmeg, musk, and surprisingly, leather. It's a woody scent that smells great on everyone. There's something very grown-up and refined about it.

What I like most is that while the scent is strong, it's not overpowering.  There's nothing worse than a guy smelling like he bathed in cologne.  A couple spritzes of this stuff goes a long way.  It also works for any occasion, as it's not too fancy to wear during the day, nor is it too low key for an evening out.

It's the perfect gift for anyone, especially your main squeeze! Since it smells so amazing, you'll want to have it close by!

And I have one 3.4 oz bottle to give to a reader!

So if you're feeling lucky, enter the giveaway by sending an email to sassyalana@gmail.com with the subject line reading "VINCE CAMUTO".  The giveaway ends 7/28 and the winner will be alerted via email.

Vince Camuto for Men eau de toilette sells for $57 for the 1.7 fl oz, and $70 for the 3.4 oz on their website vincecamuto.com and major department stores.

Disclosure: This post contains products 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.

The Look For Less: Red Nail Polish

No matter the season, red nail polish always looks fabulous.  It's classic and looks amazing on all skintones.  It's just a fact. As a self-proclaimed polish addict, I almost always have an emergency bottle of red polish with me at all times.  My personal collection includes around 10 different red colors, each one slightly unique in its own lovely way.

That said, it can be hard to find a red polish that is of fantastic quality. My first fave red hue is Dior's Vernis Nail Lacquer in Red Royalty.  It really is the perfect red. It's a bright cherry red with cool undertones. When I found it, I knew immediately that it would be my go-to red for a very long time.

Then I tried out CoverGirl's Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in Ever Reddy. It is basically the exact same color, applies like a dream, and looks every bit as gorgeous as its Dior twin.

While Dior's red polish is a steep $24, the CoverGirl version is a mere $5.99.

I hate to say it, being such a Dior fan and all, but save yourself some cash and opt for the drugstore nail polish.  Since it works just as well, and looks just as good as the pricier polish, there's no reason to shell out the big bucks for a beautiful red nail polish that'll get you through multiple seasons.

Tweeze Please!

Living in New Hampshire, I've definitely seen my fair share of unibrows, bushy brows, and even a few brow mishaps that I can't describe in words.

Tweezing eyebrows is something that every woman should take seriously.  The brows frame the face.  No matter what you do with your makeup, nicely shaped brows can either make or break the look.

Here are some important guidelines to go by while tweezing:

Trim & Shape
Use a spiral brush to define brow shape, brushing hairs up and into place. Using a pair of stainless steel Brow Shaping Scissors, trim excess length from each brow.  Make sure to check for equal balance and proportion as you work. Do not over trim.  It's a fairly common mistake, but take it from me--you'll end up looking like an idiot. And like you're always "extra surprised". Hahaha

Tweeze
First, use a warm washcloth to open pores. Tweeze along the natural shape and arch of your brow line with a Slant Tweezer. Grab each individual hair at the root to avoid breakage, and pull smoothly in the direction of hair growth. Once basic shape is defined, tweeze between brows to remove anything that remotely resembles a unibrow

Define
Apply brow powder or pencil to sparse areas using short, fine strokes. If you have dark hair, use a shade lighter than your hair color.  If you have blonde hair, use a shade darker.  Blend like crazy.

Soothe
Finish by applying a moisturizing face cream around the brow area.

Random beauty tip:  throw tweezers in the freezer, so you numb the skin as you pluck. (Just make sure tweezers are completely dry before using them.)

I found this super cute brow set from Tweezerman and Serphora.  Their Hot Pink Mini Brow Rescue Kit is perfect for travel.  It includes a Mini Slant Tweezer (in pink!), Mini Browmousse, Mini Eyenhance Highlighter Pencil, and a Mini Brow Shaping Brush. Each set is $25.

So, hopefully these tips are helpful! Good luck on making your brows look absolutely fabulous!

Happy Fourth of July!

I hope that all my lovely readers have a fabulous Independence Day! Remember to look amazing, have fun, and of course be thankful that we live in such a great country!

Looking for a last-minute accessory for the day? Stop in Forever 21 and grab one of these super cute Star-Spangled Heart Rings for under $4.

Enjoy!

Studs and a Bow? A Match Made in Heaven!

I'm absolutely smitten with this Turquoise Studded Bow Bracelet from Urban Peach Boutique.

I've been hugely into bracelets for the past year or so and this beautiful bauble would be the perfect addition to my ever-growing collection.

The fact that it's girly and a little tough at the same time is what I really find most appealing. I have plenty of girl-ified jewelry, and some tough, almost biker-chic pieces.  But I've yet to find something that captures both looks at the same time.  This bracelet does just that.  The bow is super elegant, but the studs give it some edge.

Color-wise, turquoise is very trendy this season, and it's a hue that looks great on everyone. And don't ask me how, but the color somehow magically goes with almost every outfit out there. You can even pair it with my latest nail polish love, Where's my Chauffeur? from Essie for a fun, matchy look.

The best part? Each bracelet is under $10!

Urban Peach Boutique is a store I hadn't heard much about in the past, but it's definitely worth a look.  Take a browse through their website for more pretty doodads!