3 STEPS TO YOUR BEST LIPS

It's so hard to believe that the first month of January is coming to a close. Next up, is the month where we not only celebrate Black History but LOVE as well. And, just in time for the lover's holiday I'm sharing with you 3 quick steps to your best lips; so pucker up!

Step 1: Exfoliate:  Just like exfoliation for your face, exfoliating your lips are just as important to get rid of dead, flaky skin and reveal smooth supple lips. M.A.C. Cosmetics recently released their new line of lip scrubs called the Lip Scrubtious Collection and much like any other newly released M.A.C. Collection it is already sold out online. If you still have no luck in your local M.A.C. location try the Fresh Sugar Lip Polish available at Sephora.com. 

Step 2: Hydrate: After you have exfoliated the dead skin cells off of your lips you want to  hydrate and moisturize them. Doing so has been made extremely easy with these patchology Lip Renewal 5-minute Hydrogels. I'll let the magic speak for itself; check out my before, during, and after pics below. A set of 24 will run you about $50. You can also try Masque Bar's Intensive Lip Care Gel Patches, here a set of 4 is around $7. 

Step 3: Plump: Who doesn't want plumper and fuller looking lips? These Violent Lips InstaPlumper patches are very similar to step 2 in that they are both gel patches however this one is made with 6 natural ingredients to deliver an intense plumping experience that is stronger than a plumping lip gloss yet less painful than lip injections. It lasts up to 8 hours. 

#MANIMONDAY - THE SIMPSONS

The Scoop

So a little while back some of you might remember I shared the news about one of M.A.C.’s upcoming new collections which was the Simpsons collection or what I like to call, “Marge 4 M.A.C.”. Back then when I was writing the post two months seemed so far away before I would be able to get my hands on the collection but here we are – I made it to the September 4^th launch in one piece (lol). So, it just so happened that the launch was scheduled on my son’s third birthday so while we were out at the mall doing some school shopping I took a slight detour the M.A.C. store here in the Christiana Mall. 

I was surprised that when I went I wasn’t immediately bombarded with Simpsons marketing propaganda. Instead, the collection was set off to the side on one little display. For all of the buzz that surrounded this collection I was just expecting more of a fuss around the in-store launches; but I digress. The display housed four lip glosses, two eye shadow palettes, one blush, and one nail sticker set. 

Because of my weekly #ManiMondays I of course wanted to grab the nail stickers. I debated a little while between the purple shaded lip gloss called, “Itchy & Scratchy & Sexy” and the blush in ‘Pink Sprinkles’ but finally decided to go with the blush. 

About The Simpsons Nail Stickers

As soon as I took the stickers out of the package I was immediately reminded of the Sally Hansen Salon Effects stickers – they must be made by the same manufacturer. One important note here about these stickers is that they are nail polish strips and not vinyl nail stickers. After going back and forth between the polish strips and the vinyl stickers I would definitely have to pick the polish strips every time.

These stickers applied easily and the sizes were perfect for my large nail beds. Some things I think could have been changed or added to these nail stickers include:

1. Feature some strips with Marge’s hair in blue instead of the entire nail strip being yellow

2. Featured different color sticker sets – possibly in the colors of the lip glosses

Overall, I definitely am a fan of these nail stickers. I think the shade of yellow is one that will be flattering on all skin tones and the size of the stickers is a plus in my book. I hope M.A.C. decides to launch a line of nail stickers outside of just a collaboration collection. The stickers retail for $16.50 and are available online and in stores.

The Look

WEEKLY BEAUTY CRUSH: MARGE 4 MAC

Crushin’

This week the beauty industry is abuzz with news of MAC Cosmetic’s latest collaboration with none other than Marge Simpson. To celebrate the show’s 25^th anniversary MAC has teamed up with the hot mama to debut a line that is feminine and sexy. Unfortunately though, the line won’t be widely available until September 4^th but if you’re lucky and live in the San Diego area you can snag some products from the Gaslight District MAC store on July 26^th from 10AM to 5PM.

The rest of us will just be #crushin for the next two months. [tear] 

Connect With Me  

MY CHRISTMAS WISHLIST: BEAUTY

1.     Soap & Glory Smooth Over Darling Set, $65 sephora.com

2.   Sephora Collection Moonshadow Palette, $30 sephora.com

3.   Obsessive Compulsive cosmetics Pro’s Picks Lip Tar Set, $ 50 sephora.com

4.  MAC Cosmetics Primped Out Lip Look Bag Lavish Coral, $40 maccosmetics.com

5.   Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Large Tray & Gift Set in Cashmere Glow, $150 bbw.com

6.  Sally Hansen Salon Insta-Gel Strips Starter Kit, $30 ulta.com

7.    Viva La Juicy Fragrance Gift Set, $75 sephora.com

8.   Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Sweet Memories Gift Set, $20 drugstore.com

Stay Stylish,

VintageDee 

OCTOBER 2012 FAVORITES

1. Royal Apothic Hand Creme: Recently I have had to become sort of OCD about washing my hands and with frequent washing comes intense dryness. So, to battle the dry cracked skin that comes with the frequent washing not to mention the cold weather I've been using Royal Apothic's Hand Creme in Venetian Grove. Venetian Grove in particular smells great but I am more of a foody girl, I love fragrances that smell like sweet treats ESPECIALLY vanilla (yum)! Venetian Grove is more in the Jasmine/Lavendar family but the formula is great at relieving dry skin. It's very hydrating and doesn't leave a greasy residue. $22 royalapothic.com

2. Chic Sheets Hair Refreshing Towelletes: In a nutshell Chic Sheets are dryer sheets for your hair. They help combat static and frizz. $12 aveyou.com. Check out what Chic Sheets did for my hair...

 

3. Butter London Fall Collection:  I LOVE Butter London's Fall 2012 Collection. This was actually my first time trying any Butter London products. I ordered All Hail the Queen (taupe), Wallis (black/gold shimmery mix), West End Wonderland (gold glitter) and a Matte topcoat from Coterie.com (a new beauty shopping events site similar to Guilt). The Butter London shopping event on Coterie.com is of course over now but you can still purchase these polishes at Nordstrom.com or straight from their website, ButterLondon.com ($14ea). Check out my nails with All Hail the Queen and West End Wonderland...

 

 

 

4. L'oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream: I'm sure you've all seen the recent BB Cream craze, all of the major beauty brands have released one (or two). I initially set out to try Maybelline's BB Cream but my Target was sold out so I found L'oreal's BB Cream. Before I tried it I was expecting it to be along the lines of a tinted moisturizer but it's actually sort of irridescent and feels slightly like an exfoliator. Immediately after applying the BB Cream I noticed a difference in my skin. My skin tone appeared more even and it had a natural glow. $8 target.com

5. Mac Cosmetics Lipstick in Cyber: I don't have much to say about this lipstick. The color is amazing. I did initially set out to purchase their lipstick in 'Smoked Purple' which is a matte lipstick, but of course they were sold out. So, I purchased Cyber which is pretty much the same color as 'Smoked Purple' it just has more of a satin finish. Dark lips are always in this time of year but everyone usually goes with a deep burghundy color - Cyber is such a dark purple it almost looks black. Try something different this time ladies. $15 maccosmetics.com

 

6. Poshmark iPhone App: I recently downloaded a new app on my phone - think of it as if Instagram & eBay came together and had a baby - that baby would be Poshmark. This app allows you to sell your gently used clothing items straight from your phone. Upload your picture, add effects to it, set your price and promote your items. Currently in my Poshmark I am selling my Style Closet Boutique items (the same items that are on my website). Even if you don't want to sell anything through this app you can still download it to purchase items. Check it out and search for me :) @vintagedee!

 

 

 

 

7. Pretty Polly Suspender Tights: I know you guys have seen these tights before. I have been crushing on them for the longest time but just hadn't gotten around to purchasing them. I just so happened to mention the tights to my VP and she tells me she has a pair she just bought that she can't fit (SCORE!!). I couldn't wait to wear them... $25 nordstrom.com

 

 

8. Everyday Minerals Long Handled Kabuki Brush: For a few months now I've been using a few Everyday Minerals brushes in rotation. Most recently though I've been using the Longhandled Kabuki Brush the most. The bristles are very soft and it picks up product very well. The best part about this brush is that it is 100% Cruelty Free & Vegan. Typically products that are vegan, organic or natural are more on the expensive side but Everyday Minerals prices are very reasonable. $13 everydayminerals.com

 

9.Refresh Dakota Sneaker Bootie: I do not wear sneakers. I don't even think I own a pair - sneakers just aren't my style. My feet are too wide for flats which is why since the 8th grade I've mostly worn heels. BUT being the store manager of a shoe store where you're not allowed to wear heels presents its challenges until we got these sneaker booties in. They are so comfortable and the taupe color allows me to wear them with a bunch of different outfits. I bought them from my store Traffic Shoes and they retail for $35. The companies website does not currently allow online shopping but you can search for a store near you with the store locator. I've also found them online at overstock.com and amazon.com BUT they are running for $45 on those sites.

 

What products have been your fave this month?

 

Stay Stylish,

VintageDee

WEEKLY BEAUTY CRUSH: CYBER BULLY

Hi Everyone! So a few days ago I came across a picture on @Instagram of @Fashionista804. She was rocking this killer dark lip....

I immediately started crushing on this vampy lip look. The actual product she used to get the look is MACs lip pencil in Nightmoth and lipstick in Smoked Purple...

 

 

So of course when I went on the search to find the exact products she used Smoked Purple was sold out but there is a lipstick that is very similar which is called Cyber....

 

 

If you decide to go sans lip liner underneath you will definitely be able to see the difference...

 

 

Here's my final look....

 

 

WHO: MAC COSMETICS

WHAT: CYBER LIPSTICK & NIGHTMOTH LIP LINER

WHERE: WWW.MACCOSMETICS.COM

WHEN: AVAILABLE NOW

WHY: TO BE ON TOP OF THE DARK LIP TREND OF THE SEASON

HOW MUCH: $15EA

 

So what do you guys think? Would you wear a deep purple lip look like this?

 

Stay Stylish,

VintageDee