Happy National Lipstick Day!

That's right, dear readers: Today, July 29th, happens to be National Lipstick Day here in the U.S. Apparently lipstick is the most popular cosmetic item and therefore deserves a prominent place on the national calendar. In honor of this, I thought I'd share a little tip on determining which lip colors will look good on you.

Most people only consider their skin color when browsing for the next perfect nude or vivacious fuchsia. Actually, the first feature you should look at is your lips themselves. The natural color of your lips has everything to do with how that lipstick will look on you. Unless you cover your lips with concealer first, the color you see in the tube is going to look different on your lips. For example, there's a generalization that pale pinks look good on pale girls. If I wear a super light pink lip, I look like a corpse. Here's the reason why: My lips, though not extremely pigmented, are actually a neutral reddish-pink. If I want to look alive, I can't wear anything lighter than my own lips, so an extremely light pink or nude will make me look dead.

After you've got that straight, then you consider your skin and hair color to determine whether the color will be flattering. Also, don't be surprised if you have cool-toned skin and a warm color looks good on you, and vice versa. If you have neutral lips like I do, you may have more color options than you think. More than once, I've been shocked when an obviously warm-toned color has looked flattering on. I recently got a Revlon Moondrops lipstick in the color Apple Polish, a bright orange-y red, and it's now one of my favorite summer lip colors. I'm thinking that's because not only are my lips neutral, but I have pink and yellow undertones.

I'm making this sound like a scientific study, but it's not. All of you lipstick-wearers probably already know what colors look good on you just by eyeballing them in the store. I just thought it would be fun to share how I hunt for lipsticks. Maybe the next time you're shopping for a lipstick, be a little adventurous and pick up a great shade that you normally wouldn't dream of wearing. Who knows? It might just be your new favorite.

xEsther

Mini Review: Fusion of Color Mineral Face Makeup

Aura Tint (Light), Concealer (Shell), Finishing Powder (Out and About)

Hello, dear readers,


If you have been reading my blog since at least the beginning of this year, you may remember a post called "Mini Review: Fusion of Color Lipsticks." I received three lipstick samples and three mineral face makeup samples from Fusion of Color Cosmetics back in January, I believe, and I think it's about time I did a review of the face makeup. I more than owe it to the company, especially Kathy Duncan, the woman behind the brand. [If you don't care to read the previous post, I should tell you that this is a Chicago-based company that sells exclusively online. I'm also not being paid for this; I received these sample sizes in exchange for review.] 


Until this month, I had only tried one of the powders, but I am finally ready to give you my honest opinions on the products. The first product I tried was called the Aura Tint, in the shade Light. The full size retails for $7. According to the website here, this is a colorful version of the Aura-Lusion Diamond powder, a white powder that can be used as a primer or setting powder, or it can be mixed with another foundation to achieve the correct shade.

Aura Tint (Light)

I don't think I owned foundation at the time, and I still don't use mineral foundation, but I used this as a setting powder. Considering I walked to and from school, a half-hour trek each way, this product held up really well. I found that it blended the tinted moisturizer and concealer, that I was using at the time, quite nicely. This went on silky smooth, but didn't give a completely matte finish. I actually prefer it to the Physician's Formula Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Airbrushing Pressed Powder SPF 30, that I reviewed here, because it's sheer enough for my super pale skin. 


It didn't hold up quite as well as my Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent, which can last seven or eight hours; then again, I haven't found anything that has. This is a good option for a reasonably priced mineral makeup powder that feels great going on and lasts for about five hours, even through speedy, and, yes, sweaty walking. I should say that it only fades on and around my nose and chin, where I get oily. I can't speak to its other uses, but I can say that lately I've been using it as an under eye concealer because it has a slight yellow tint that I find works better than my Hard Candy Glamouflage. I stopped using that product, because it's too dark for me and shows up orange.


Next, I tried out the Concealer in Shell, which is advertised as both a concealer and an eyeshadow base. The full size retails for $14. It does not claim to hide major blemishes, but rather conceal dark circles or minor flaws. The ingredients are listed on the website, so check there to find out. My picture of the ingredients came out extremely blurry.

Concealer (Shell)

Unfortunately, this is one product I would skip. The pinky shade served to actually accentuate the purplish-blue darkness underneath my eyes. The good thing is that it didn't crease. I don't use eyeshadow, but I would imagine it would be neutral enough to use as a base if you have light skin. I can't really comment on that, but this is not a product I would purchase as a concealer. 


Unless you have any greenish imperfections [i.e. a tiny bruise or something], pink concealer won't really do you any favors. You're better off with a yellow or salmon concealer for underneath the eyes. Because it's pink, it won't do anything for blemishes, either. Again, the powder itself feels light and smooth, but if you'd like to try it, buy it as an eyeshadow base or purchase a sample size [as pictured] instead.


The final product is probably my favorite. It is the finishing powder in Out and About, which is advertised to be used over foundation or alone. It has an SPF of 16, and contains rice starch to control oil. The full size retails for $12.

Finishing Powder (Out and About)

This is a very nice finishing powder, and I also enjoyed wearing it on its own. Like the Aura Tint, it has a slight yellow undertone. To me, however, it looks slightly more neutral than either of the previous products. I like the way it brushes onto my skin, evening out skin tone, and I love that it has a sufficient amount of SPF. Possibly the best thing about it is the fact that it helps control oil. I feel like it gives a very sheer coverage, but also keeps greasiness at bay for long periods of time. 

I have also tried this as an under eye concealer, and I think it works for that purpose as well. Its slight yellow tones work well to conceal any purple or blue circles, but it's not too yellow so as to be noticeable. Until I find a fuller coverage under eye concealer, I will probably be alternating between this and the Aura Tint. As you can see, this is quite a light powder so I can't say what other skin tones this would work on. Personally, I think it's pretty great.

Overall, I think Fusion of Color Cosmetics is a great company as far as quality of formulation and staying power of their mineral face makeup [not to mention the lipsticks]. I would recommend the Aura Tints and the Out and About Finishing Powder, but I would try one of the other concealers, listed on this page, if you're curious about the powder formula. If I had to choose just one to purchase, it would be Out and About. 

This review is extraordinarily overdue, and I've been feeling so guilty about it!  I'm glad it's finally out there for you to consider. Check out the website, Fusion of Color Cosmetics, for more information. 


xEsther

14 Fun Facts About Me!

Hello, dear readers,

As you may have guessed, this is another tag. I personally love when a new tag surfaces in the online beauty community, and I love reading other bloggers' answers. This particular questionnaire comes from the Fowler sisters' blog, Elle and Blair. To see the original post, click here.

Let's get right to it:

My funniest cutest nickname is: Roni. I have too many funny nicknames to choose from, so I went with the cutest.


My preferred fashion style on the weekend is: I don't really think my style fits into a category. I just go with whatever flatters me most, be it weekend or weekday. I guess comfy, girly, and/or classic? It depends on what I'm doing. I think I read way too much into tag questions. 


My go-to pick-me-up is: So far, most people have answered this with a type of food and/or drink. For me, it's either watching a feel-good chick flick or listening/singing along to music by my favorite singers [Jon Mclaughlin, Jason Mraz, Eric Hutchinson, Sara Bareilles]. If we are talking about food, though, it would probably be chocolate. Let's be real.


I feel silliest when: I'm hanging out with my friends. They're the best kind of ridiculous, as am I. 


I feel most accomplished when: I finish a big project or I've done a killer workout.


My favorite feel-good movie is: 27 Dresses. I've probably watched it 27 times. The Princess Diaries and it's sequel are up there as well. You can't go wrong with Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway as royalty. Andrews practically is a queen, anyway.


If I could go back in time and be any age again, I would be: 18. That was a good year for me, and I got to spend two weeks in New York! I'd just like to relive that vacation. Difficult question, though. It would be weird to be really young again, as much fun as that would be.


If I could borrow any celebrity's wardrobe, I would choose: Zooey Deschanel 


My easiest way to stay organized is by: keeping busy; that way I have to allot time for everything I need to get done.


The bravest thing I've ever done is: leave my previous university and decide to transfer to a tiny college.


One day I'd really like to: travel everywhere!


One thing I do every single day is: check all my email accounts and desperately check to see if I've gotten any real, physical mail.


My most trusty friendship advice is: Be loyal, trustworthy, and honest; don't judge or argue over stupid things; make each other laugh!


My mantra of the day is: You are only one workout away from a good mood! [This was actually on the website here, if you're interested]


There you have it: Another tag done!


If you do this tag, please leave me a link to it in the comments!


I hope your July has been fantastic so far! 


xEsther

Another Periodic Update

Hello, dear readers,

I'm sorry I'm so inconsistent with my blogging this summer. I promise I have no intention of stopping this blog; I'm just enjoying my summer as much as possible and have been too lazy to actually create a worthwhile post. So far I've been catching up with friends, shopping, reading, and getting back into regular fitness routines. I like the Exercise TV videos on YouTube, and I also search for random workouts so I can switch up my routine. I still hula hoop, but I also like interval workouts, Pilates, and Zumba and other dance workouts.  I do have reviews that will be coming up, some of which are quite overdue. I received a box of products for the summer Influenster VoxBox, which I will explain once I'm ready to review those. I have to actually use the products in order to review them! I also haven't been wearing face makeup, as it's been over 100 degrees [F] here. Don't worry, though; I still wear lipstick every day!

I hope all of my American readers had a fabulous July 4th! I went to my local parade with my friend, and one of our friends was actually driving in it. We hassled her until she got out of the car and came over to us. It was quite nice as I haven't been to the parade in a few years. I had to hop right in the shower after due to the fact that it hit 102 F [I don't know how to do the degree symbol; sorry!]. I then went to a barbecue with friends, including the two from the morning, and saw the local fireworks. Afterwards, we all went to see the opening night of the Katy Perry movie. Yes; you read that right. It was a great deal of fun singing loudly and dancing in the back row. I know, I know; it's definitely Oscar-worthy material.

I promise you will see a post from me before the summer's end; I just can't promise you when that will be! Have a wonderful weekend!

xEsther