I bet you didn't know you were applying your lipstick wrong!

Well, okay, maybe there's no wrong way to apply lipstick but I didn't realize that there was a technique until I was recently helping my lipstick-novice friend try a dashing new shade of scarlet and she asked "How do I apply it?"

Woah. Lightbulb moment. Bright lips take some serious planning to make application look perfect. After years of experimenting with every lipstick shade under the sun, I took this fact for granted and completely glossed over the fact that there indeed are steps that make the process way easier!


Therefore, my Lipstick 101 tutorial was born. (If you haven't seen the rest of my 101 Basics series, you can check them out on youtube or on the blog here.) Some of you might be like me and usually apply it straight from the tube but then need to amp it up on date night so I shared two different ways to have the perfect (and easy) lipstick application. Check out the video & swatches below!

NEON PASTELS

On the fashion front, you really can’t beat a great floral print paired with delicate jewelry like in my recent Spring Lookbook. The whole “neon pastel” color palette really speaks to me and I’ve been noticing myself gravitating toward those peaches, limes, and sky blues.

Hey guys! It's officially mid-November and I can't help but think to myself that time is traveling by extra-fast this month. Maybe it's because I've started preparing gifts for Christmas and, like last year, I am preparing to donate an item to the BeautyBloggers.org charity auction. I'll give more information about this year's auction closer to the starting date (Nov 28th) but as a little teaser, I am donating a very special lipstick this year. ;) 

As I mentioned in the video, my favorite types of perfumes are fruity-florals and I try to avoid perfumes that have baby powdery scents and "old lady" classic perfume scents like the plague. They just don't work with my personal body chemistry and end up smelling very flat and unflattering.

I also appreciate adorable packaging like this cute DKNY Be Delicious apple! ^_^


Here are my top 5 altogether in their cute glass bottles.


Paris Hilton (2005)
Fragrance Notes: Frozen Apple, Peach Nectar, Wet Ozone, Sparkling Muguet, Freesia, Mimosa, Jasmine, Tuberose, Skin Musk, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, Oakmoss, Pheromone.

I'd describe this one as being "cute and sexy" on me. It's on the sweeter end of perfumes I like but it's great for a night out. It's purported secret ingredient is pheromone in case you want to bring all the boys to the yard.


Marc Jacobs Daisy (2007)
Fragrance Notes: Violet Leaves, White Woods, Strawberry, Gardenia, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Jasmine Petals, Violet Petals, Vanilla, Musk

This perfume is a lighter floral that is a bit preppy and appropriate for everyday. It's not too strong that it's distracting but it's still nice and put-together. I also find that this one doesn't seem to change on different people's skin as much as other perfumes, or maybe it just smells good on most people. The clean wearability reminds me of Clinique's Happy perfume and it's a good "starter" perfume for those new to fragrances.


L L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani (2007)
Fragrance Notes: Water Hyacinth, Violet, Fresh Pear, White Freesia, Jasmine, Muguet, Sweet Pea, Rose, Orange Blossom, Heliotrope, Peach

This perfume is one of my more sophisticated and heavier perfumes and has fresh, floral top notes but definitely has a cooler, muskier base to it that is more masculine than my other perfume picks. I like it for an elegant date night since it's very classy.


DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom (2009)
Fragrance Notes: Apricot, Cassis, Grapefruit, Smooth Skin Accord, Blond Woods, Jasmine, Rose, Apple, Muguet

I really love this perfume as an everyday daytime fragrance. It's a bit sweet, floral, and feminine. The "Fresh Blossom" name originally scared me since I usually stay away from heavy florals but it's actually quite light and I absolutely love undertones of apple in it. It's a really nice balance of florals without trying too hard.



Some honorable mentions I wanted to include are:

Burberry Brit Sheer
A fresh, fruity floral that I don't own yet but want! I recall it being slightly more citrusy than my other loves, which I enjoy.



Salvatore Ferragamo Incanto Shine


Lacoste Essential
Clean, fresh, long-lasting, and sliiiightly citrusy without losing any masculinity in the process. Ugh, so sexy. I die. This is my current favorite cologne.