I hate lip gloss. **Pauses for reaction** I know, I know. I used to be a junkie (I have the box full of tubes and pots to prove it), but lately the necessary reapplication, the nauseatingly sticky feeling, and the prerequisite feathering have all but put me off my glossy lunch. Enter: Bobbi Brown's Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks. This product is fantastic for a plethora of reasons. Firstly, for you low-maintenance ladies, the stain simplifies your morning routine by shrinking the number of products you need and allowing you to quickly create a polished look. The tiny pot fits into any size bag, and you can reapply if necessary during the day without using a mirror. Reapplication will probably be unnecessary, as the color has truly fantastic staying power, especially if you take your time to work in and build up the color. No need to start with a pile of product- simply dab your finger into the color and then dab onto your lips and cheeks. Honestly, it's that goof-proof. Lastly, this product will last you past its expiration date. I have had my stain in Pink Truffle (I prefer a darker color for a stain, because it is more versatile as you can dab lightly for a soft finish or build the color to an intense lip) for about a month, and there is barely a dent. This type of product tends to look more natural than powders, as it blends more easily into your skin, rather than sitting on top of the skin. Translation: You will look effortlessly beautiful and put-together throughout your day!
Stats:
What you pay-$24
What you get-0.38 ounces of love that will last you forever
Where you buy-Sephora, most department stores
What you do-Dab, dab, dab on lips and cheeks! And work quickly, using the warmth of your fingers or a soft brush to blend.
Other stuff you should know- Only comes in 5 colors, but they are widely flattering. Other options include Laura Mercier's Lip Stain (Mulberry is my current favorite, and while it may look frightening in the pot it is exceedingly wearable and easily buildable) and Benefit's famous Benetint.
Zest Official Rating-5/5! This is holy grail status for me, both in terms of a lip and cheek product.
Traveling eye liner is SO not cute- who wants to look like a raccoon come 3 p.m.?! With the right tools and techniques, your eyeliner can stay put through the work day...or through a hurricane...or through a marathon...or whatever else you may be tackling on that particular day.
First, create a line using either a pencil, gel or liquid liner. I really love Mac pencil in Teddy, a bronze color that is a nice alternative to standard brown or black. In the drugstore, I am obsessed with Prestige Total Intensity Pencils- they stay all day and are ridiculously inexpensive at around $3. I have them in several colors, and they are all fabulous and easily compare to Urban Decay's more famous 24/7 pencils. If gel is more your thing, Physician's Formula, Bobbi Brown, and Maybelline all make fantastic versions. Liquid liner normally takes the most skill and time, but if you have mastered the steady-hand method, my favorite is Maybelline Line Stiletto. Once you have a thin layer of liner, which by no means needs to be perfect (I actually prefer a more smudged, natural look), take a similar color shadow on a flat or angled liner brush and gently press (don't rub or you will move around your base line!) onto the original line you created. And that's it! Just as you would set foundation or concealer with a powder, or as you would finish an up-do with hairspray, the shadow sets your line and intensifies the color and the defining power of any product! I almost always do a brown liner, and so would chose a complimentary brown or bronze shadow. Some of my favorites include NYX in Deep Bronzer, Urban Decay in Smog, and Bobbi Brown in Espresso. To amp up the look for night, take a little of the same shadow onto your bottom lash line with a smudge brush or simple q-tip! This will keep you looking glam all through your day and well into your Friday night.
