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If someone asked me what beauty product I would take with me to a desert island, I would unequivocally, and without hesitation, answer “eyelash curler“. On those days where I have to run out of my house to do errands, but I don’t feel like putting on makeup, I just curl my eyelashes. Going to the gym and don’t want mascara to dribble under my eyes from sweat? Just curl the lashes. Need a quick makeup refresher before I leave the house for a night out? Curl the eyelashes. A lot of women skip this part of the beauty process because they don’t think it’s necessary, but I challenge them to use one for a week and then try to go back. You’ll notice a significant difference in the appearance of the size of your eyes. Curling your eyelashes helps to open up your whole face, giving your gorgeous eyes an even better chance to shine!

Now that I’ve openly admitted my addiction, let me introduce you to my best friend:

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler- $20.00

This little $20.00 beauty tool has been the most cost effective thing I may have ever spent my money on. I bought mine in 2007 (Yes, 5 years ago!) and it is still going strong today. Honest to God, I don’t think there has been a day in the past 5 years that I haven’t used it to curl my eyelashes. It literally takes my tired, lifeless lashes and curls them perfectly towards the sky. I just have to add a couple of layers of mascara and I am out the door. It’s so simple, so quick and has such a dramatic impact on your overall look. I highly recommend this tool. If $20 feels like a lot, just think about how long it will be before you’ll have to spend it again! My eyelashes are living proof!

Do you use an eyelash curler? If so, what’s your favorite?

Stay Glossy,
Libby

A couple of weeks back I showed you some of my favorite manicure trends for Spring and Summer. To accomplish my goal of trying something new with my manicures, I did some research and found my favorite nail polish colors that are new (and some aren’t so new) to complete my Spring look. Friends, there are SO many amazing options out there right now- you seriously have to try something new and branch out into all this bright, fun color! Here are my favorites that I’ve found so far-

Essie “No More Film”- $8.00

I absolutely adore this deep, rich purple color. It’s the perfect color to do with a sparkle top coat.

OPI “A Roll In The Hague”- $5.45

I love this “A Roll in the Hague” from OPI’s Holland Collection!  I wear this when I’m feeling bold and looking for a bright, in your face nail color.

Lancôme “Vernis in Love Boudoir Time”- $15.00

My go to nail color seems to be pink, so I am always in the market for a new hue that catches my eye. This Lancôme shade is the perfect pink without being overly pink– you know what I mean? It’s beautiful!

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear “Green With Envy”- $2.49

This Sally Hansen color is much like A Roll in the Hogue- worn when I’m feeling bold and daring. I promise it looks better on than it does in the bottle. Plus, for $2.49, how could you resist?

Laura Mercier “Flamingo”- $18.00

Another bottle of pink, this one is a little bit softer and more feminine. It feels more like a strawberry pink than a bright pink. Either way, it’s lovely and is a great, solid shade. You could wear this for weeks on end and never get sick of the color!

Essie “Brooch The Subject”- $7.79

Every nail polish addict knows that having a great nude color in your collection is absolutely essential. I am head over heels in love with ‘Brooch The Subject’ by Essie. It’s light, but still covers the nail with just a couple coats.

e.l.f “Nail Polish Set”- $5.00

For five dollars (!), there is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t pick this set by e.l.f up! I wouldn’t say it’s the greatest quality nail polish by any means, but it’s great if you want to switch up your color often, or if you want to use one of these four polishes as an accent color. Honestly, go buy this now, it’s such a steal!

 

What do you think of my favorite colors? Which colors are on your list of must-haves for Spring/Summer?

I once heard it said that your eyebrows are the strongest story that your face has to tell, but is often the most forgotten part of one’s beauty routine. After hearing that I felt immediately convicted because I, probably like most of you, had been completely neglecting mine. Now, hear me out, I get them waxed and tweeze them regularly- I don’t have out of control beasts growing out of my face- but I hadn’t been making sure they were telling the final part to my beauty routine story. All my life I’ve had pretty heavy eyebrows (curse the Italian in me!), and finally last year thick eyebrows starting popping up all over the beauty and fashion world. I finally fit in! But since I hadn’t been utilizing them to the best of their ability, I went on a hunt, found some great videos, bought a couple products, and now I am completely in love with my eyebrows. Here’s what has taken my eyebrows from the untamed monster they once were, to the chic and thick look that they are now-

After watching both of those videos, it was clear that I needed a couple of products. I found the following three products for less than $12 total! Here are the ones that I use on a daily basis:

 Sally Hansen Beauty Tools- Brow Shapers

I start with this tool and just brush the brows into the shape that I want them to be. It’s simple and takes probably 10 seconds max.

Cover Girl- Brow and Eyemaker Eyebrow Pencil- Soft Blonde

This is the easy (and totally cheap!) pencil that I use to fill in the gaps and reshape my arch.

Sonia Kashuk Brow Gel

And as the final step, I use this Sonia Kashuk Brow Gel to keep the arch in place. Don’t use too much or, like any other hair, it will make it look greasy, but adding just a little bit finishes off the look and keeps the hair in place all day long.

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Seriously, this only takes me about 3 extra minutes max, so there’s really never an excuse not to do it! What do you think? Will you be putting in the extra time to shape your brows?

xo,
Libby

I was cleaning out my bathroom earlier this week and realized that I had way too many products that I bought, used once and then never used again. And on the other hand, I had multiples of products that I try, love and will never give up! I realized that I’m wasting way too much extra cash on products that I barely use when I know that there are products that I’ve tried, tested and swear by. So to help keep my bathroom organized, my beauty bank account full and my skin clear and bright, I’ve made a list of the 6 products that I absolutely cannot live without. From here on, I’ll stick to these 6 base products and only add new things {like trend items} when the season changes or when something really amazing peaks my interest.

Image Skincare- Ageless Collection

This line was introduced to me by my dermatologist and it’s insane how well it works. My favorite is their “Ageless The Max” product, you can read my full review of it here, but just know that this is worth every penny of it’s $90 price tag.

Juice Beauty- Stem Cellular Repair Eye Treatment

Let’s face it, I’m getting really old and my need for a good eye cream is immediate. I love Juice Beauty and I love this eye treatment even more because I will literally see a difference overnight in the bags under my eyes. {not kidding}. You can read my full review of this product here.

 

Boscia- Luminizing Black Mask

I’ve already openly expressed my obsession with Boscia, and this is the mask where it all began. I just ran out, and I need a refill in the worst possible way. And let’s be honest, so do you. Don’t even try to tell me that you don’t want brighter, clearer skin. You do. Go buy it, and then buy one for me as well. Oh and Santa sweetie, while you’re at it, pick me up their Detoxifying Black Cleanser- I’m dying to try it.

Revlon- Strawberry Suede Matte Lipstick

I love this Revlon shade, but I’m really into Matte Lipstick of any color right now. This is my favorite lip trend that is definitely here to stay with me throughout Spring/Summer. If you’re interested, I’ll show you next week how you can achieve the perfect, smear-free matte lip that will last for hours!

Chanel Levres Scrintillantes Glossimer- in Bagatelle

This is the best lipgloss ever created. It lasts, it shines and it’s absolutely beautiful. If you’re going to treat yourself, start with Chanel and you will never be disappointed.

Jane Iredale- Pressed Foundation

You know how sensitive I am about the products that I put on my skin, and I am in LOVE with Jare Iredale products because they are 100% pure and free of any type of chemicals that could clog your pores. Jane Iredale actually makes the most pure mineral makeup on the market. Because it’s so pure, You could leave this makeup in your bag for 5 years and it would still be good because there’s nothing for bacteria to build on. It’s definitely not a bargain priced product, so this has definitely become my one major splurge product. Make sure you pick up their Antioxidant Hydration Spray to set your powder with- it keeps your makeup on for HOURS.

 

What are your six favorite beauty products that you can’t live without?? Leave your answer in the comment section below!

xx,
Libby

Obviously it should come as NO surprise that I am a lip gloss addict, hence the name of my weekly post. I have a minimum of 4 lipgloss’ in my purse at all times, and most of them are barely a shade different. I’m such a sucker for great texture, a little bit of shine and a long wear-ability. What I love the most, though, is when I find all three of my favorite qualities in one lipgloss for a great price. Friends, I have stumbled upon your next favorite addiction:: L’Oreal Paris’ ‘Le Gloss’. Oh, it’s SO good::

 From left: Baby Blossom, Peach Fuzz, Chocolate Obsession, Watermelon Obsession, Plum Rush

I picked this up at Target a few weeks back simply because I thought the name was so dang cute and the packaging made it look really quality. {Sigh, I’m such a sucker for good product branding!} I opened it up as soon as the target checker girl said ‘Have a nice day’ and I haven’t looked back since! Let me tell you a little more about what’s so great about this drugstore find:

1. It has great pigmentation, so the colors are on point! My favorite, Baby Blossom (nude, far left), goes on your lips as a nude and throughout the next couple of hours it settles into a really beautiful opalescent nude that shimmers perfectly in the light.
2. This lipgloss is infused with hydrating Omega 3, Vitamin E and Argan Oil, so your lips are perfectly glossy and ultra soft.
3. It layers well! Try pairing on their Plum Rush (far right) over your favorite fuscia lipstick and the result will be one gorgeous, bold lip! I love this for Spring!
4. It comes in SO many different colors! Once you start, you just can’t stop, so you might as well just pick up 2 or 3 from the get go! Don’t you love that they weren’t afraid to do such bright colors? I love that!

If you just start with one color, try a neutral color like ‘Nude Illusion’, ‘Peach Fuzz’ or ‘Naturally Nude’. You can purchase this lipgloss from any drug store or specialty beauty store like Sephora or Ulta.

Have you tried this lipgloss before? If so, make sure you let me know what you think in the comment section below!

xo,
Libby