Product Recommendation: Estee Lauder Automatic Eyeliner

Eyeliner is a great thing...I try my best to never leave home without some of it on (even, gasp, if I go to the gym...just a little so I don't look 14 years old - but really I am not THAT woman that has a face of makeup on at the gym). 

For many years, I have relied upon Estee Lauder's Automatic Eye Pencil Duo in Hyacinth Sky.  The refills of the color seem to last forever...we're talking more than six months.  The color, Hyacinth Sky, is a perfect dark blue and slate color.  It looks natural and can be played up with other eyeliner colors and eyeshadow.  Because realistically, black eyeliner does not work well on my blue eyes and fair skintone.

Credit: Estee Lauder

Every Girl Needs Some Bronzer

I was e-mailing my sister-in-law some Sephora product recommendations, when I thought, oh right, my blog is partly about beauty products...so maybe I should actually write about them?

In light of the scary dangers that too much sun poses, I have turned to sunless tanner and bronzer in the past few years.  Back in the old days - high school and college, even post college for some years, I was a sun worshiper.  Hard to believe I know if you could see me now. 

That all said, in trying to not turn mahogany, I have found some wonderful bronzers that can help a girl out.   Oh, the mahogany comment comes from my dermatologist.  For many many years I avoided the sun like it was the plague until my dermatologist (who I see every 6 months) told me it was okay if I got "some color...just don't turn mahogany...essentially still wear sunscreen, but 'some' sun will do you good."  I will never be quite as tan as I was in my high school and college years.  Yes, I will post a picture one day.  Why do people look so much better when tan?  Who knows, but there are ways to fake it without skin damage and skin cancer risks.

Finally, that takes us to my bronzer recommendations.  Some apply bronzer to highlight areas of their face...ummm me, I put it all over my face (is that bad?), chest (depending on type of shirt), and sometimes a little on my arms (if I'm looking too tan on my face and my arms are white).

1. My all-time bronzer go-to:
MAC Bronzing Power in Refined Golden

Source: MAC Cosmetics
I discovered this awesome bronzer when I had a trial run for my wedding makeup.  I thought it was just the makeup artist that worked wonders (she did), but it was also her choices of makeup that really made an impact.  

2. The runner-up...and often recommended on beauty message boards:
NARS Bronzing Power in Laguna

Source: Sephora

Search for the Perfect Lipgloss

Why is it so hard to find a decent lipgloss? The color is important, but so is the gloss level...you don't want a lipgloss that is too sticky or too dry.

I recently tried this lipgloss from L'Oreal; it is called Watermelon Crush. It smells refreshing and is quite glossy...but the color is off, at least for my skin tone. I'm pretty pale but fake it with bronzer and this color is just too peachy for me. I need to get a "pinker" color but they are always sold out.