Review: mark. Glow Baby Glow Luxe Hook Up Lip Gloss in Choco Luxe & Melon Luxe

Choco Luxe (Left) & Melon Luxe (Right)





Today something very special arrived to me by fed-ex this afternoon, a mark. Glow Baby Glow Luxe Hook Up Lip Gloss in Choco Luxe and Melon Luxe. I actually won this on elleandblair.com last week for correctly guessing who was the starlet in red lips from the "Gloss Over This" post. This is the second time I won something from elleandblair.com thanks to the "Gloss Over This" post, and I absolutely loved it. So when this arrived for me I was so excited to open it up and see what lip gloss color I would be getting. When I opened it I was glad to see that they send me another hook up lip-gloss, on one side it was a brown bronzy shimmer and on the other a pretty hot pink-ish shimmer color.


Swatches: Melon Luxe (Left) & Choco (Rigth)

  My first though when I saw this was how pretty they were. The first mark. hook up gloss I won from elleandblair.com was also a brown bronzy color but on the other side it is a purple burgundy color that I love! (I will also review it also). So the brown bronzy color wasn't new for me but I was still happy to get it because I love brown/bronzy lip colors for those days when I'm having low key days with minimum makeup. Although I the hot pink-ish shimmer lip gloss is somewhat similar to my Clinique Kissy Fit Long-Lasting lip gloss, I still love it because I love, love, love pink colors! When I tried it on my lips it gave them a nice tint of color that makes them look natural with a little pop that doesn't look over the top which is perfect for me. One more thing I love about these lip gloss are that they smell like spear mint, how soothing! Overall I think this is defiantly a good purchase for anyone, and will most likely buy some more once I run out.

A Quick Make-up Look For Girls On The Go:

Completed Make-up look

For this weeks post I have decided to write an article inspired by my best friend Diana who would like to do her makeup for school everyday but just doesn't have time. So I thought I shared with you my quick go-to makeup routine that I use whenever I'm in a hurry or too lazy to do my whole makeup. This make-up look isn't just for girls who are in a hurry but also for girls who are starting to use makeup and need a good solid start before they begin to experiment with different colors and looks. Lets get started.

Tools:

• Face Powder ( I used Clinique Perfectly Real Compact Makeup in 130 N)
• Blush (I used E.L.F Studio Line Blush in Candid Coral)
• Eyelash Curler (I used my Revlon Eyelash Curler)
• Mascara ( I used my Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara)
• Lipstick/Lip Gloss (I used my E.L.F Essentials Lipstick in Gypsy, and my L.A Colors clear lip-gloss)

      Step 1:
After you have prepped your face (Moisturize and Sunscreen). Dust some of your powder all over your face and neck to hide any blemishes. *Shortcut: Instead of using a powder you can use a tinted moisturizer instead. It will be like hitting two birds with one stone and even better if it has SPF included.*
    
      Step 2:
Following step 1 sweep a blush color in a C-stroke motion. You can achieve this by smiling at yourself in the mirror and start sweeping the blush at the apples of your cheek and sweep them upward toward your temples. This technique will gives your cheeks a more glowing defined look.
    
      Step 3:
Next you will grab your eyelash curler (If you have one) and curl your eyelashes 3 times. First curl at the root of your lashes, then curl at the middle of your eyelashes, and finally you will curl at the tips of your lashes. After your done curling your eyelashes you will add 2 coats of mascara and one small stroke on your bottom lashes.
    
      Step 4:
Finally finish of your look with any lip wear of your choice. Since the rest of your face is simple don't be afraid to use a bolder lip color to play up your lips.


And there you have it girls, a quick and easy look that anyone can easily emulate. That will make your natural beauty shine that will make you look beautiful no matter how much time you have.

Makeup Essentials: Cosmetics every girl should have in their makeup bag

Photo by hair-beauty-and-makeup.com

Just like there are wardrobe essentials that every girl should have in their closet I believe there are also a few cosmetic products a girl should have in their makeup bag. You don't have to use every products every day but it is a good idea to have them in your makeup bag just in-case. Before we get started I just want to say that yes makeup is fun to play with and helps us feel better but we shouldn't forget that makeup is meant to enhance our natural beauty not change our whole face.

1. Sunscreen: Protecting your skin from the damaging UV rays is extremely important. If you don't protect your skin from the sun's UV rays you are putting your health at risk by being exposed to pre cancerous cells that can led to skin cancer. Sunscreen also helps protect the skin from premature aging, just because we are young we shouldn't leave our skin un-protected. So finding make up with at least 15 SPF on your makeup is a good buy. There is no day like the present to start taking care of your skin.
2. Face Primer: Primer is  used as a base to prepare your skin for makeup, it smooths out your skin making it easier to apply makeup and also helps it stay on for longer. So I would highly recommend finding a good face primer it will make a difference on how your makeup will look. 
3. Foundation: The purpose for foundation is to even out skin and hide blemishes . Take the time to find a good long lasting and appropriate foundation for you. If possible try to get one with SPF so that way you will be hitting two birds with one stone.
4. Face Powder: Face powder sets foundation and the concealer (if you wear any) in place. It finishes giving the face a flawless look if you have blemishes you are trying to hide. If you are blessed with good skin without blemishes and dark spots wearing just powder will be enough for you.
5. Bronzer: I know what you are thinking "Bronzer= Looking like Snooki or a Omppa Loppa" Sure when you put too much bronzer it makes you look too made up and cakey. Luckily there are bronzers out there for every skin tone that wont make you look overly tan. Because when having the right shade of bronzer and when worn in moderation you end up having a pretty healthy glow and who doesn't want that!
6. Blush: I love blush! I'm constantly looking for new shades of blush to try out and it so happens to be another beauty product that help give you a healthy glow on your cheeks. Blush enhances your natural beauty, helps define your cheeks bones and makes you look healthy and happy. Blush is meant to look natural so take it easy when putting it on and choose the appropriate shade or you will end up looking like a clown.
7. Eyeshadow: Unlike foundation,powder,bronzer and blush where you need to take the time to find the right shade, you can never really go wrong with eyeshadow. And it is the perfect way to experiment with your makeup. Eyeshadow can define your whole look by making it dramatic or simple. And it is one of the most inexpensive cosmetics out there, you don't have to spend a fortune on eyeshadow. I prefer neutral matte eyeshadow colors ( browns, fawns, and champagnes) for day looks, pastel colors for when I'm feeling girly (pinks and purples), and shimmering dark colors for night (grays,blues, blacks). I would suggest buying a big palette of eyeshadow so that way you can have mostly every color at your hands.
8. Mascara: Mascara is one beauty products that I cant go without. It really does open up your eyes and makes your eyelashes look longer and lusher. You can never go wrong with a little bit of mascara.
9. Eyeliner: Whether you don't use eyeliner because you think its too much or you use it religiously it is a good idea to have eyeliner in your makeup bag. Because even though you may believe eyeliner is too much for day look, it is perfect for night looks. And this is also a good way to experiment with makeup with all the different colors out there aside from the usual black and brown, a few years ago my best friend used turquoise eyeliner (a change from her usual black) and she looked great! So I would also suggest to get some in vibrant colors (blue, pink, turquoise, purple, etc. . ) for the days you are feeling a little edgy.
10. Lipstick/Lip Gloss/Lip Stain: Another favorite cosmetic of mine to shop for are lip products, I'm the girl with at least 5 different lip shades in my everyday bag (I'm not joking). Probably because to me lip products brings the whole look together without it I feel incomplete. I would suggest to have at least 3 lip products, one for the days you feel low key, one for everyday use, and one for special occasions.

And there you go ladies, my personal opinion on what I believe every girl should have in their makeup bag. Of course this doesn't include skin care products and makeup tools (those articles will come later, I promise) But it is a fairly basic start to building a impressive makeup collection or to just adding to the makeup collection you already have.