Lipstain: The perfect alternative for winter dry lips

My lips get really dry and chapped especially now that winter is here. The weather has been so dry and cold lately. Chapsticks and other lip balms keep my lip hydrated well, but I've been wanting play more with lip colors. Maybe it's the holiday season spirits that have been calling my interest.

Normal lipsticks seem to be easier to control during application since you're applying the color directly to your lips. But matte colored lipsticks tend to dry my lips very easily, and shiny colors can smudge off quickly. I felt like lipstick colors can require high-maintenance, especially when you're going for reds or darker plum colors that will show mistakes more apparently.

As an alternative, I recently tried a lipstain for the first time, and it worked out so well! At first, I thought this would be too difficult to apply and control. I'm not applying the color directly on my lips as I would with a lipstick, but instead use the thin applicator brush cap. I purchased the creamy lip stain from the Sephora collection in 'Strawberry Kiss' for $13, which is actually a such good price for its impressive quality (as compared to the popular Stila lipstain at $24).

Sephora's creamy lipstain in Strawberry Kiss, $13 at Sephora

As always, you should have some lip balm on before adding any lip color. This lipstain color will appear glossy at first, but will dry matte if you have a matte color. I find it easier to use a matching lipliner to outline your shape first and then applying a thin layer on the lips. I will also blot my lips onto a facial tissue to get any excess lipcolor off. Once it dries, you can also build on another thin layer if you want it to look more opaque on your lips, but I think the color already looks amazing with one coat.

Why I like this product:

• highly pigmented, color payoff is accurate
• creamy, hydrating, does not dry and crumble or flake off
• long lasting
• affordable for its impressive quality, more 'bang for your buck'
• variety of shimmer and matte colors - pinks, reds, and plums

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It's definitely a bolder look for me. Because this one is in a matte color, the color will show so well in photos. I must say that it's not entirely smudge-proof. I've found that some color may be transferred upon contact, but it's very ideal for a party or big event. I'm happy with how this product has turned out for me, especially since the upcoming winter holiday celebrations will be perfect opportunities to add more glam and color to my makeup looks. I'm looking forward to trying out other colors!

Back to Basics

Here is a list of my favorite basics up to date. I'll link this post to a tab up at the top as a quick reference page, and change it when something new or better comes along.

I can go for an 'everyday' look using the items I've listed below. Sometimes I will decide to skip (or simply forget) to use some products but moisturizer is a must for me. Some of these products will be drugstore brands and others will be considered somewhat 'high-end'. Like I said, I'm sure this list will change throughout time, but it's nice to keep track of what I've been using.

I've listed the product name and description, where I purchased them, why I like it, and how long I've been using each item:

Moisturizer

• Sephora Hydratant matifiant 8H SPF 20, 1.69 fl oz/50 ml, $23 at Sephora
• thin lotion texture, mattifying but still moisturizing, has a good amount of SPF, has a pump
• I've been using this product since December 2013.

Face Primer

• Hourglass Veil mineral primer, 15 SPF, 0.33 fl oz10 ml, $18 at Sephora
• spreadable (a little goes a long way!), super smooth and silky texture, still keeps a natural skin look
• I've been using this product since December 2013.

Foundation (liquid)

• Revlon Colorstay liquid foundation (in shade 310 Warm Golden), 1.0 fl oz/30 ml, $11.99 at Ulta 
• formulated well for oily/combination skin, light and breathable, good coverage while still keeping a natural skin look
• I've been using this product since August 2013.

Eye Primer

• Lorac Behind the Scenes eye primer, travel size, (freebie comes with Lorac Pro Palette), original size 0.53 oz/15.3 g, $21 at Ulta
• thin lotion texture, dries softly and clearly, not powdery, holds eyeshadow fairly well 
• I've using this product since April 2013.

Eyeshadows

• Lorac Pro Palette, (16 colors, comes with freebie travel-sized eye primer), $42 at Ulta
• 8 matte colors, 8 shimmer colors, perfect for all skin tones, velvet soft texture, highly pigmented, thin and lightweight magnetic case with mirror
• I've been using this product since April 2013.

Eyebrow Pencil

• NYX Automatic eyebrow retractable pencil (in Dark Brown), $4.99 at Ulta
• has built-in brush cap, retractable, soft texture, oval-cylindrical shape that makes it easy to shape eyebrow 
• I've been using this product since April 2013.

Eyeliner (pencil)

• Stila Smudgestick Waterproof Eye Liner (in Stingray), 0.01 oz, $20 at Sephora
• retractable, really dark black, creamy but stays put very well once it dries, good for the waterline
• I've using this product since April 2013.

Eyeliner (liquid)

• Kat Von D Tattoo Liner (in Trooper), 0.02 fl oz/0.55 ml, $22 at Sephora
• super dark black, somewhat waterproof, dries matte, stiff and sturdy tip, has the finest point I've seen yet!
• I've using this product since April 2013.

Mascara

• Benefits They're Real (mini) mascara, 0.14 oz/4 g, $10 at Ulta
• short and thin rubber bristles makes it easy to apply without hitting my lids, lengthens lashes well
• I've been using this product since August 2013.

• Maybelline Falsies Big Eyes, 0.3 fl oz/9 ml, $6.94 at Walmart
• quickly builds volume, holds curl well, double-ended dipping barrels and brushes (one with thicker bristles and one finer bristles)
• I've been using this product since October 2013.

I'd like to go into some more detail about these products individually and do comparisons with other products someday once I get the opportunity to test out more items for a reasonable amount of time. That way I can give more helpful in-depth observations rather than misinforming you about my experience. A simple video would probably be easier than reading a blog post though. I'll have to try to get over my awkward fear of camera filming...

Anywho, I hope that was informative for anyone who is curious about what I've been using lately! But I'm always down to hear about any basics makeup products you can recommend, especially if they're more affordable while working just the same... I'm all about that.

Peace out.

Shopping at Ulta vs. Sephora

When it comes to makeup brands, I really don't have a preference, just as long as it works to my need and is compatible with my skin and type. Drugstore brands are my go-to items (such as Revlon, Maybelline, Neutrogena, and L'Oréal) because they're affordable and easily accessible at almost any major convenience or retail store.

Ulta is a great makeup and beauty supply superstore that provides both drugstore brands (especially a large amount of NYX and Lorac products, which you can't find at Sephora) and some high-end brands. 

But if you prefer a 'prestigious' and sophisticated feel of a store, and don't mind spending a little more for your products then Sephora is a great place to go for all the latest high-quality makeup and beauty items. 

I've listed some general positive observations that I can make between the two:

Sephora highlights:

• Great customer service, employees are helpful, knowledgable, and well-experienced makeup fanatics/artists
• More high-end brands and 'prestige'
• Perfect for the 'intermediate' to 'advanced' level makeup users
• Displays are clean and neat, usually well-stocked
• Can give samples of any product for you
• Online store has fast shipping
• Lots of mirrors, testing stations, and cleaning liquids/tools all over store
• The store's makeup line is better quality than other store makeup lines

Ulta highlights:

• Provides both drugstore brands and some high-end brands
• Friendly customer service, honest opinions and advice
• Perfect for all levels of makeup users, comfortable for beginners especially
• Displays are well-organized and clean
• Typically a very large open store
• Very good sales and promotional deals monthly
• Reasonable rewards program: prizes/benefits are worth redeeming with points

It looks like Sephora does have a few more pros listed but despite these small differences, both stores are very successful in what they do, and I have no major bias towards one over another. It really depends on what you are looking for. Sometimes, new releases may be available at one store first before the other. When I'm not sure if Ulta or Sephora carries a certain item I want, I look it up on Ulta.com or Sephora.com to check and compare prices before I head out on my search.

Other than that, there are plenty of other sources to get your beauty and makeup supplies like Target, Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens, just to name a few. Then of course there are online sites if you can't find what you wanted in-stores. I rarely do online shopping for makeup though because of the cost for shipping and the hassle of returns when I do need to make one. Where do you go for your makeup hunt?

Intro

Hello, world.

I'm Jenn. Just your average 'tomboy' chick raised by her loving father and grew up enjoying topics on cars and motorcycles, tools and sports (especially tennis), technology, and random gadgets and gismos. As a kid, I was usually freaked out by dolls (especially the ones that make crying noises and closes its eyes), I thought playing dress-up and makeup was disgusting, and I simply hated being a girl. 

In some ways, I still feel that way. Being a girl sucks (ladies, y'all know what I mean). You have to deal with puberty earlier on, face the damnation of getting your period every month, wash your hair, brush your hair, groom your underarms, shape your eyebrows, wear a bra, worry about your boobs not growing, wear a dress, walk in heels, get blisters, get pregnant... and that's just the physical stuff! Then you have all the emotional things, the social things, and relationship things to worry about even more. 

OTHER THAN THAT, I think being a girl has proven to be a good thing for me. Two years ago, I finally decided to try some MAKEUP on my own for the first time. After watching some YouTube makeup videos, I figured I'll start with a black eyeliner pencil (that's usually the first thing girls go for, that or a lipstick). It wasn't easy at first. I kept poking my eye and could hardly stand the tickling of it. But I really liked how I look with some eyeliner on. I looked and felt somewhat more sophisticated and 'put together' knowing I tried something different with my appearance, instead of the usual 'plain Jenn' before.

Though I used to think 'natural beauty is the only beauty', I believe that makeup allows you to enhance and accentuate your natural features. Most importantly I see makeup as a form of art and personal expression. You get to create your own look any time, anywhere, with anything. There are so many styles you can play with, such as a glam, chic, edgy, or a natural appeal. Whatever the desire, you can always try different makeup products or looks to add to your daily engagements.

Needless to say, I'm not a professional makeup artist, I didn't go to beauty school, nor am I trying to say that all that I say here will be the absolute truth. I base my experience by learning from others, trial and error, and personal observations. I will be using this little blog site to share my makeup encounters and fill it with some photos or videos about my Makeup Move. Now that's something to keep myself busy with...

Peace out.