Beauty for the Economically Challenged

I know I’m a little late, but I finally jumped on the bandwagon with these.

And I love them!

CVS is having a buy-one-get-one-half-off promo on these and I couldn’t say no!
The funny part is, I didn’t mean to get one of the colors that I got…it was in the wrong row and I was too stupid to double check :( But I actually ended up liking the one I got.

I wanted to get Strawberry Shortcake (080) and Raspberry Pie (010).
I got Strawberry Shortcake and Sugar Frosting (005).

Big difference, I know. Believe me, I felt pretty stupid.
Luckily I liked Sugar Frosting anyway…I just don’t tend to buy such icy shades for myself. 

Okay, picture time!

Here’s Sugar Frosting. (Keep in mind that my lips have a LOT of natural pigmentation, so the true look of the shade doesn’t come across well on my lips. Swatches below)

And that’s Strawberry Shortcake.

Swatches:

Strawberry Shortcake is left, Sugar Frosting is right.

Again, Strawberry Shortcake left, Sugar Frosting right.

I’ve only put them on for the purpose of these pictures, but I think I like them so far. I doubt I won’t like them anyway because everyone loves them, but they really did make my lips feel super soft the instant I put them on. I hope they have some staying power!

I’ll be interested to see how I use the Sugar Frosting, because like I said I don’t usually wear such icy shades. Maybe with a really dark eye? That might be a good contrast? I don’t know. I can’t wait for spring so that I can feel better about wearing the Strawberry Shortcake…it’s a spring/summer shade to me.

Do you have these shades? How do you use them?

Much love as always!

xox

Noelle Alysse

As many of you know, I recently went crazy on the Eyes Lips Face website and did a haul on all my new swag.

I told myself that I was going to do all requested reviews (obviously) and also do a review of the thing I used the most in the first week.

Without a doubt, I used the Glossy Gloss in Ballet Slippers the most (pretty much every day to be honest).

Part of my love for this product is just the title of the color; “Ballet Slippers.” I’ve been a ballet dancer since I was five, and the gloss really is a very similar color to the ballet slippers I often wore. It’s a kind of muted beige-y pink, and I think it’s gorgeous.

I know that a lot of people get frustrated with E.L.F.’s Glossy Gloss because it’s sticky. I personally don’t mind. It is sticky, but it’s not too bad, and to me it just comes with the territory of a really shiny gloss. And when it’s sticky, it has more staying power than a watery gloss. This one isn’t sticky enough to bother me at all, and it definitely lasts a pretty good amount of time.

The best part is, my lips themselves feel soft even after the gloss is gone. I’ve always hated the never-ending struggle between balm and gloss, and this solves that for me. 

I also have a lot of natural color to my lips (you can tell a lot more by looking at the close-up picture), so a lot of glosses lose their color when I put them on. This one really doesn’t do that as much as others. (For girls who have my problem: try a light layer of concealer over your lips before your gloss!)

This color can’t necessarily be worn with everything. If your skin tone is like mine, it can wash you out if you’re wearing white or really light neutrals. A healthy dose of blush helps too! :)

The only fault I find with this product is the applicator. It’s a brush, and I just personally don’t like that as much. Most people don’t mind that though.

This can be found for $3 (!!!!) on E.L.F.’s website or in some stores such as Target and K-Mart.

Overall, I give this product a B+.

Questions? Comments? You know what to do!

xox

Noelle Alysse

I have one personal trick to keep my lips soft. My friends laugh at me, but this really works, and it’s super easy and inexpensive.

At night, right before I go to sleep, I cover my lips with a thick layer of Lip Smackers Lip Balm. I even go outside the boundaries of my lips a little bit, because that helps prevent fine lines.

Anyway, I honestly believe that it’s the most instrumental part in keeping my lips nice and soft. I buy 8-packs for $10 and they last me a year. Right now I’m using the soda-flavored kind and they’re a lot of fun, but I’m not picky. I’ve also used their Easter-themed ones, and their regular ones. Laugh all you want, but it really works!

Other important tips to be aware of:

• Drink lots of water! Your lips are skin too, and they’re even more sensitive.
• Protect them! Never go outside (especially in the winter!) without something covering them (something with SPF is best!).
• Exfoliate when you need it, but not too much! You can find a million homemade recipes online. My favorite is a mixture of honey, olive oil, and sugar.
• Keep medications off! If you use any topical medications on your face, keep them off your lips. They’re not meant to be there, and they can be very drying and do a lot of harm. It helps to put some lip balm on right before you use your medication to serve as a protectant.
• Don’t lick or bite your lips! Your saliva will actually dry your lips out, and make everything worse. The (very) temporary relief isn’t worth it!

One more important thing: Do not share lip products. 

You don’t want cold sores. It can be very easy to spread the herpes virus, and if you don’t have it yet, you’re lucky! Or, if you do, and your friend doesn’t, you don’t want to give it to them. Keep your lip products to yourself!

Hopefully these tips will lead you to a more beautiful (and comfortable!) winter!

xox

Noelle Alysse