of makeup & men

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1. OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE COSMETICS LIP TAR / 2. FRESH SUGAR LIP POLISH / 3. MAKE UP FOR EVER AQUA EYES / 4. LAVANILA PERFUME / 5. BUMBLE AND BUMBLE SURF SPRAY

I saw this Lipstick Queen "Hello Sailor"  lipstick tried and tested over at Refinery29 and knew I had to have it! Then I found out it was $25. So I stalled. I couldn't see myself spending over $30 (for shipping) on a tube of lipstick I wasn't all that sure would look good. After a while I kind of forgot about it until the other day, and when I checked the only two websites I knew it was available (Lipstick Queen and Barney's) IT WAS SOLD OUT. So, naturally I freaked out and went to Google searching, and as luck would have it I found it on the Space.NK.apothecary website. I cringed at the $10 shipping fee, but I ordered it right way. I have to say, it was the best $10 shipping I've ever received. I ordered the lipstick on Tuesday night and got it this afternoon.

THIS IS THE BEST LIPSTICK EVER. And I don't use all caps lightly. It goes on smoothly, more like a balm or lip tint than a lipstick, and the color is fantastic. I can only describe the color as a combination between blackberry and deep pink, but sheer. I love the color you get from only a few swipes, but you can keep layering it for a deeper pink. I WILL BE USING THIS ALL SUMMER. It's light, airy, beautiful, and even nautical. Because it is so sheer, I imagine it looks a little different on everyone, depending on the color of your lips.

1. Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow / 2. Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer / 3. Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream / 4. Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm

Summer is a time to feel free and fabulous as you flaunt your stuff around town, or the beach, or wherever you please. Unfortunately for those of us who don't live in Antarctica,  strutting our stuff during the summer usually means we have sweat dripping out of every possible pore of our body. I'm all for a dewey glow as long as it doesn't come with pit stains and wet hair. Alas, when it's 100+ degrees outside beggars can't be choosers, and we must either embrace the outdoors or stay cooped up inside. You may be tempted to stay inside all summer, watch House Hunters International, and drink your weight in sweet tea, but do yourself a favor and get out of the house. I know, I know, there's nothing worse than feeling like your makeup is melting off your face, but with these lightweight products, even if it does, it's not that big of a deal. These are some of my favorite "great for your skin" products you can throw on any time during the summer without spending hours searching for the perfect waterproof heavy foundation (which I'll help you out with later).

Read More About Each Product After the Jump!

1. Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow

This foundation is perfect if you want coverage that is between a foundation and a tinted moisturizer. It goes on light and feels light all day. I felt that the oil free formula kept me from getting shiny, and overall my skin looked brighter after putting in on. However, if you are super, super fair-skinned like me, it takes a little bit of effort to blend it in so you don't look orange. If you have warm and not pink undertones already, go for it!

In a nutshell: lightweight, medium coverage, SPF 25 PA+++, oil-free

2. Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer

At first glance the "Amazonian Clay" part in the name of this tinted moisturizer had me scared. I had this vision of me wading in some muddy river in the amazon, scooping up the clay from under the water with my hands, and smearing it all over my face. It wasn't a pretty image, even in my head. I decided to try out a sample anyway and I actually loved it! It was a lot lighter than I expected, like really light. If you don't need as much coverage, this is great!

In a nutshell: lightweight, sheer coverage, oil-free, SPF 20

3. Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream

Most products that I review come from samples I've dug up or tried on in stores, but I actually bought a huge tube of this CC cream and the concealer to match. The first time I tried it I got a small sample in a BIRCHBOX and I used it every day until I ran out. My skin tone is uneven so I automatically loved the idea of a cream with color correcting properties. BONUS: It has a laundry list of things in it that are good for your skin, and it is organic! Warning: it is very, very sheer. It really feels like I'm putting on moisturizer rather than makeup. Aside from the color issues my skin is pretty clear, so fortunately I can afford to skip out a lot of coverage. I did decide to purchase the concealer to go with it, just in case of flare-ups. So far I love it! If you do decide to follow in my footsteps, I must warn you: smell the CC Cream before you buy it. The first time I used it I noticed it has a ...unique smell. But, it is all organic, so what do you expect. The smell doesn't linger, after you put it on it goes away. Just thought you should know.

In a nutshell: lightweight, very sheer coverage, lots of skin benefits, SPF 30, weird smell

4. Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm

This is another one that doesn't exactly smell like roses, but this is a BB cream, not perfume, so we sacrifice a little and it gives us an excuse to buy more perfume. This is also a BB cream that does not really have any coverage, so if you want even a little, this probably isn't for you. I chose to add it to the list because it feels absolutely great on your skin, and sometimes I don't feel like putting on actual makeup (ie. going the pool, gym, or early appt.) Dr. Jart+ claims in minimizes the need for a foundation or concealer. If you want, put it on under your makeup and reap the benefits, if you're brave, put it on without any and hit the town, eventually it might be all you need!

It's the first day of summer! And what an appropriate day for a first ever blog post. It is hot as hell down here in the South, which means the moment you walk outside the makeup is melting off your face and the mosquitoes are loving every minute of it. Although the sweltering heat can make you want to stay in and watch House Hunters International all day, the lower half of the East Coast has too much to offer to just sit still. So set your DVR's to record, throw on these "beat the heat" products, and get outside.

1. Philosophy: "total matteness" mattifying pore eraser

I get red red red during the summer months, red, oily, and miserable. My favorite skincare line, Philosphy, has recently come out with the solution to all my oily and red skin woes. The "Total Matteness" mattifying serum promises to mattify skin, erase pores, and brighten darkened skin. BONUS: I've found that it reduces my redness! This is a must buy, and right now Philosophy is doing a bunch of promotions so you can get it pretty cheap!

2. Sun Bum: SPF 70 Sunscreen Lotion

I think a part of the reason I get so red is because I'm so incredibly white. Think NARS "Sibera" foundation white. My porcelain skin has its perks (I got it from my Dad and Grandmother who have very few wrinkles), but with that blessing comes huge responsibility. My dad has a history of skin cancer so I make sure I lather on the sunscreen whether I'm going to the beach or just walking down the street. You can never be to careful when it comes to sun protection, whether you are as white as me or not! Taking care of your skin is no joke, and neither is skin cancer! So, I recommend Sun Bum SPF 70. I normally go for SPF 3000 if I can find it. The higher the better, but when I discovered Sun Bum and all its benefits, reapplying every 70 minutes instead of 100 seemed like a small compromise. Sun Bum is  moisturizing, waterproof, sweatproof, paraben-free, oil-free (the list goes on and on) and packed with vitamin E. Please moisturize and nourish your skin while you're out playing in the sun, you'll thank me later! Oh and don't forget your hair part, or just wear a hat!

3. Tarte: Maracuja Blush & Glow in "Sunlight"

Hands down my favorite summer product. I don't have much to say about it except get your behind to your nearest ULTA or Sephora and buy it now! The "Sunlight" combination is the perfect for summer days and nights! During the day I like to mix the bronzer in with my CC cream for an overall glow and at night I like to sweep the bronzer across my forehead, nose, and chin, then top off my cheeks with the glow for that "I've been out in the sun all day" look. 

4. Shiseido: Sun Protection Lip Treatment SPF 36 PA++

During the summer I pay special attention to what I'm putting on my lips. It is just as important to cover your lips in a nourishing lip balm with an SPF as it is to wear sunscreen on the beach. I like the Shiseideo Sun Protection Lip Treatment because it has one of the highest SPFs I can find, and wonderfully light and can be used under other lip color.

5. Urban Decay: "Cannonball"Waterproof Mascara