BLUE RIBBON WINNERS // BEST OF MILANI COSMETICS

If you search the work Milani on my blog you’ll find about 10 posts that include their products… I’ve been a fan for years! So it was about time I rounded up my Blue Ribbon Winners for Milani so that you can scoop up a few too next time you’re at Walgreens.

Best of Milani Cosmetics:

• Make It Last Matte Charcoal Setting Spray- I actually just recently took this bad boy on a segment of Studio 5 where I shared my favorite charcoal products [watch that here] because it is truly one of the best setting sprays out there. The charcoal absorbs oil for up to 18 hours, keeping you shine free and locked in. The spray is quite ‘wet’ with a heavier mist so I like to apply it prior to eye shadow and mascara etc., so nothing budges. Give it about 60 seconds to dry fully and then keep working on your eyes. You won’t be disappointed.

• Baked Blush- These blushes are super pigmented and have a beautiful built-in glow, almost like a highlight and blush combo. I live for the coral color called ‘Corallina’, but I also love ‘Rose D’oro’ and ‘Red Vino’. They also come with a built in blush brush which is stored underneath the color, a great perk for on the go touch ups.

• Hypnotic Lights Holographic Eye Topper- Specifically the color ‘Beaming Light’ is just SO PRETTY! Every time I wear it I get compliments, and bonus it is non-irritating on the eyes- which can be hard to find when it comes to glitter products. My fav way to wear it is on the inner corner of the eye after I’ve applied a shadow to the lid. It’s like the perfect touch of glam!

• Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation- Beauty Bloggers everywhere swear by this stuff, including me! It’s FULL coverage, and will literally cover anything because of the built in ‘concealer’ factor. It’s a thicker consistency which aids in the coverage, and its super creamy which I love. I wish the color selection was broader, but that is my only criticism. It also wears really amazing in humid conditions because its water and sweat proof, score!

Right now you can save $1 on any Milani product at Walgreens, just print out this coupon, and look for your Valpak mailer and find an additional coupon there also redeemable at Walgreens.

*This post is sponsored by Savings.com’

BEST OF HAIR

Best of Hair 2018:

• Dry Shampoo: Amika Perk Up $25 Smells amazing, works amazing!

• Shampoo & Conditioner:Love, Beauty & Planet 'Blooming' Rose $9 each This product is incredibly clean and keeps all the bad ingredients out. It cleanses so well, protects color, and smells lovely!

• Volume/Texture Powder:Kevin Murphy Powder.Puff (salon locator) I love to add this to my braids and buns to give them grit, texture and volume. It leaves a residue on the hair that you can feel, but not see. I tiny bit goes a long way, so don't be turned of by the price of the size of the bottle.

• Shine Spray:Kevin Murphy Shimmer.Me (salon locator) Any time I get a compliment on my hair being shiny, it's because I have this sprayed in it! It has light reflecting mica particles in it that makes even damaged hair glisten.

• Hairspray:Pureology Soft Finish Hairspray $28 Super lightweight and brushable. Great for fine hair that needs more volume and lift.

• Root Cover Up Spray:Loreal Magic Root Cover Up $8 I can't live without this stuff in between my color services. It hides roots in a flash and washes away easily.

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BEST OF LASHES & BROWS

Best Lashes & Brows of 2018:

• Lower Lash Mascara:Wet n' Wild Skinny Mascara Waterproof $5 My fav mascara that doesn't budge and end up all over my face. The skinny brush makes application easy on delicate lower lashes too!

• Mascara:Essence The False Lashes $5 BIG volume and lots of curl. This has been such a great discovery and one I repurchased 4 times in 2018! That tells you how much I love it and it's great price point.

• Brow Pencil:Wet n Wild Retractable Brow Pencil $4 This is a slightly waxy pencil that sticks to the skin nicely as well as adds color to the brow hairs themselves. The triangle shape of the pencil itself allows for really nice flicks when drawing on hairs. So great!

• Brow Gel:Glossier Boy Brow $16 This little tube is powerful and easy to use. The formula is a nice combo of fiber and gel- which adds the perfect thickness to the brows. Once it's dry the color and hold last all day. Worth the price in my opinion and again something I repurchase over and over last year.

• Tweezer:Tweezerman Slanted Mini Tweezer $15 Tiny and precise! The mini size gives you extra control and allows for a tight grip near the blades.

• Lash Curler:Shiseido Lash Curler $22 (mine is a limited edition with gemed handle which isn't available anymore) It truly is the best out there and warrants the awards it's received by the beauty community. A great purchase that can be used for years to come, simply replace the pad when it begins to break down over time.

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BEST OF SHADOW

Best of Shadow 2018:

• Palette: Urban Decay Born to Run $49 My FAVORITE palette of 2018 was easily this one! It has every color you will ever need and checks all the boxes for pigment payoff, blendability, and texture. I love that it contains warm tones, cool tones and neutrals- as well as matte and shimmer options. The color combos are endless with this one, and I couldn't reccomend it more.

• Cream Shadow:Milk Makeup Eye Pigment $24 When it comes to staying power, these metallic cream shadows are undeniable. They are easy to apply with a finger, and only a pinpoint amount is needed. Although they are expensive- they last! I have had mine over a year, and have barely made a dent in the tube.

• Sparkle/Metallic:Stila Glitter & Glow $24 I can't live without a little glitter in my life- and these continue to be the best glitter makeup on the market. I increased my collection this year and now have about 12 of these. I find they take any eyeshadow look from good to GREAT with very little effort. A little sparkle never hurts! Over age 40? Try the Shimmer option instead of the glitter option for a more mature look.

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BEST OF CHEEKS

Best of Cheeks 2018:

• Bronzer: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer $15 a favorite of mine this year and many years past, I just can't quit this stuff! I've tried many others but always come back to this one. The cool toned color is spot on, the formula is buttery soft, and the scent is like a mini vacation to the beach. I switch to the light tone in the Winter- but love the original color too!

• Blush:Lottie London Blush Crush $6 I discovered this British brand at Forever21 and because of the great packaging and price point, I scooped up a couple of their blushes. A year later and they're pretty much the only ones I use on a daily basis. A beautiful blendable formula with MAJOR color payoff- a little goes a really long way. Find them online only at Ulta

• Highlighter:Pixi Glow-y Gossamer Duo $18 When you're looking for a glowy finish, look no further than these beautiful highlighters. The formula is soft and almost putty like, so it applies best with a finger for maximum metallic payoff. Apply to the high points of the face for a beautiful light reflection. Also wears beautifully as an eyeshadow.

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BEST OF SKINCARE

Best of Skincare 2018 winners:

• Eye Cream: Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Creme $38 This little jar has changed my under eye area dramatically. My skin less discolored and the fine lines have diminished as well. It's full of vitamin C to brighten skins appearance upon application, but repeated use over time brightens skin tone on a deeper more permanent level. I apply this at night.

• Eye Depuffer: Kate Somerville Goat Milk DePuffing Eye Balm $38 Wake up feeling less than awake? Welcome to my life #notamorningperson But this little stick of goodness is a life saver! The Goat Milk soothes and calms, and the balmy formula fills in pores and texture under the eye so that makeup glides on easily. I use this EVERY morning.

• Primer/ Moisturizer: Glossier Priming Moisturizer / Priming Moisturizer Rich $22 I love the lighter formula in the warmer months, and switch to the Rich formula when its cold outside and my skin runs drier. Both are non greasy, super hydrating and prep the skin for makeup beautifully. This has cut out my need for a primer all together!

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BEST OF BRUSHES

I get asked about my brushes EVERY time I post a tutorial on

instagram

! It's a hot topic- so today I bring you;

2018 Best of Brushes:

• Liquid/Cream Foundation-It Cosmetics Heavenly Skin Smoothing Brush $48 Worth the hefty price tag! It blends and smooths foundation like no other I've ever tried- it also washes nicely and never sheds bristles.

• Concealer Blender-Pixi Strobe and Sculpt Double Ended Brush $14 The Domed end blends under eye concealer perfectly with its soft touch and perfect shape. I used the other end to set my concealer with loose powder. I great price and a great brush!

• Blush/Bronzer-Real Techniques Blush Brush $9 I have two- I love them so much and the price cannot be beat! Fluffy and soft to blend blush, bronzer or powder in a snap.

• Large All Over Shadow-Japonesque All Over Eye Brush $15 Hard to find- but worth the search. I use this brush in every eye look to quickly and efficiently blend my shadows. It's BIG but that's why it works so fast.

• Eye Shadow Must Haves-Fluffy Blending Brush, Tapered Blending Brush, Domed Pencil Brush $6/ each (Or a set of four for $19) I tried these affordable brushes on a whim and boy am I glad I did! They are soft, cut well, and work like a charm! The fluffy blender is my go-to, but I reccomend you buy the whole set so you'll have everything you need!

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BEST OF LIPS

Best of Lips 2018 Winners:

• Lipstick: Elf Matte Lip Color $3 Although its called 'Matte', it is more like a Satin finish in my book. A very light sheen adds to the comfort of this formula, plus the colors are beautifully opaque. I also love the small size of the bullet making it easy to get a clean application.

• Lip Gloss:Covergirl Katy Kat Gloss $8 The formula is spot on! Not too sticky- but just sticky enough, comfortable and moisturizing on the lips, and opaque with beautiful colors to choose from. (although there are a couple oddball shades like blue that just need to be ignored)

• Lip Liner:Wet n Wild Gel Liner $3 I don't have time or the desire to have to sharpen anything. So retractable options are the only ones for me! This formula glides on nicely because of the gel, but also stays smudge proof all day once it dries down.

Which lippie was your top contender this year? xo

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BEST OF FACE

2018 Winners for FACE makeup include:

• Foundation:LA Girl Pro Coverage Foundation $9 The foundation I wore far more than any other in 2018! It's got a beautiful finish that is glowy, but nicely covers redness and spots. Plus the price is just right!

• Concealer:First Aid Beauty Bendy Avocado Concealer $22 Worth the hype and worth the cost! Not only blends like a dream, but covers under eyes and spots with great staying power. I have not ventured to another concealer after trying this one for the last 6 months!

• Powder:Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder $8 Comparable to the high-end favorites out there that are three times the price- this powder is so finely milled it blends without looking cakey or chalky. I wear the transparent shade to set my concealer, but there are also more tones to choose for that will offer additional coverage if you're looking for more.

What were your favs in the face category this year?

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BLUE RIBBON WINNERS // THE BEST OF IT COSMETICS

It's no secret that I am a total super fan when it comes to

It Cosmetics

. The line is fuss-free and in my mind it's one of the best performing brands on the market- meaning the products actually work and do what they say they are going to do! Who doesn't love a product that actually fulfills its' promises!?!

I went through my large collection of It Cosmetics products, and rounded up the best of the best to share with you today. I am 100% confident that you would love anything on this list too- they are just THAT good.

THE BEST OF IT COSMETICS:

• Bye-Bye Under Eye Anti-Aging Concealer this under eye concealer is full coverage and creamy, plus it has collegen and vitamins in it to tighten the skin and hydrate. This is designed to combat major dark circles and the results are awesome! Plus a tiny bit is all you need.

• Tightline Primer (micro wand mascara)- I have raved about this product so many times, so I couldn't leave it out of this list. The micro wand gets all the way down to the base of the lashes and is actually soft enough that you can rest it right on the rim of the lid (giving a 'tightline' eyeliner look) without causing any pain or flinching. The formula is super dark and stains the lashes so nicely. You can wear it alone for a natural yet pigmented lash, or under your fav mascara for more volume.

• Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream- This CC cream/foundation is great for full coverage, goes on easily and blends seamlessly. Not to mention the 50SPF that is built in which takes sunscreen to an whole new level of protection! Plus it smells minty fresh.

• Build-A-Brow Micro Fiber Creme Stain- If sparse brow hair is an issue for you, or you have trouble getting your brows to 'stay on' all day... this brow creme stain will change your life. It is unlike any product out there with it's built in fibers for volume, and a stain factor that truly lasts 12 hours or more.

• Naturally Pretty Matte Transforming Eyeshadow Palette- One palette that fulfills all your needs. The colors are beautifully pigmented and blend wonderfully. The shades are all matte- but you can transform them into a pearl finish by using the pearl overlay shade as well. Tres cool!

• CC+ Radiance Ombre Bronzer- My secret to glowing skin year round has been this ombre bronzer. It has a gorgeous shimmer built in, and the graduated tones give you the ability to customize the depth of your bronze with ease.

• Airbrush Foundation/Concealer Brush- Seriously the ONLY makeup brushes I ever buy, this one is the cream of the crop. The duel ends are perfect for liquid foundation and concealer and the softness of the bristles are unreal. Plus it washes like a dream! [check out my brush cleaning video here]

• Live Beautifully Large Powder Brush- Another fav brush of mine... this one is large and in charge. It's my go-to for powder foundation and blending till the cows come home.

Do you have any must-trys from It Cosmetics? Let me know in the comments below and thanks for reading, xo

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TARGET BEAUTY: THE BEST OF E.L.F. COSMETICS

A couple weeks back I shared

my favorite picks from the Pixi line

, and today I'm keeping the budget-train rolling with my top picks from the ELF line which can also be scooped up at

Target

as we'll as on the

eyeslipsface

website.

This line is perfect for the gal on a budget, and I always recommend it to my teen and college student readers and friends because it doesn't break the bank, but still offers really great products. And w

hile not

everything

is a must-buy in my opinion, there are so many goodies I do love and recommend, as well as use myself on a regular basis. Here is a wrap up of the best products from ELF:

• Studio Blush Palette- This palette is a great buy and has several different tones of blush and bronze all in one place. The texture is a soft pressed pigment, that applies easily and blends nicely with great staying power. In fact all of the blushes and bronzers from ELF are winners!

• 3-in-1 Mascara- I love the balled tip applicator on this mascara wand and the comb type bristles are great for separating and giving lashes a rich black coating. The balled end works great for detailing the corners of your eyes and for quick sweeping along the lower lashes without smudges.

• Lustrous Cream Eye Shadows- These cream shadows are new to the line, but I've already scooped up 3 colors and LOVE them. They are easy to apply with your ring finger and spread on smoothly with lovely shimmer and metallic tones. They are beautiful on their own, or work great as a primer under your powder shadows for an extra pop of color and staying power.

• Under Eye HD Setting Powder- Designed to blur fine lines, and give a brightening effect to the under eye area, this super fine milled loose powder has become one of my favorite products to keep in my purse for mid-day touchups. While the brush it comes with is useless, the powder sweeps on with your finger very nicely and quickly brightens and refreshes your under eyes in a snap!

• Studio Makeup Mist & Set- Like hairspray for your face... this stuff sets your makeup and holds it all day. Essential for humid and hot months, but great for oily complexions all year round- and a fraction of the price of other options out there. Yes please!

• Lip Exfoliator- This bumpy tube of goodness is so easy to use and is the best way to prep lips for an application of those hard to apply matte colors (MAC Rubywoo, I'm looking at you!) Plus it's wonderful to use in the winter months when dry lips are always lurking.

I've included a few more of my favorites in the shopping slider down below, otherwise this post would have been 10 miles long. The only thing I would caution you against purchasing are the ELF makeup brushes. I find them to be very scratchy on the skin and haven't had good luck with them in the bristle shedding department or the washability department. I firmly 

believe

 that high quality brushes make a HUGE difference with makeup application, so I'll continue to splurge there. 

Thanks for reading! Do you have any ELF favorites? Share them with me in the comments down below, and I'll catch you all soon, xo 

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TARGET BEAUTY: A PIXI BY PETRA MAKEUP REVIEW

Target has been KILLING IT lately in the style department. Just ask my credit card statement. Or my husband, who pays

said

credit card statement... [oops!] But seriously though, if you haven't browsed the isles of a Target store lately and seen the amazing home design, clothing and shoes, then at least stop by the makeup and skincare isles.

Target has brought on some of the best beauty lines from across the pond, and I for one, am thrilled that they are now available so readily here at my fav retailer.

Pixi by Petra

is no stranger in the beauty junkie world, but if this line is newer to you, here's a little rundown:

Pixi by Petra

was started over a decade ago by makeup artist Petra Strand in London. She's been a makeup artist for over 20 years, and I remember hearing about her products in the early days of youtube from my British cohorts who raved about them in their blogger videos. The line has a skincare element to it and the products all contain natural botanicals and healthy skin ingredients.

My Pixi collection has grown steadily over the last year, and today I've rounded up my blue ribbon picks from the collection.

Here are the must try products from Pixi by Petra

:

• Correction Concentrate- Under eye circles have met their match with this creamy peach concealer that knocks out blue shadows and veins with one swipe. It's color-theory at it's best and it doesn't settle into fine lines or melt away throughout the day.

• Glow Tonic- While this one hasn't shown up on the shelves of Target just yet, I still included it in this post because it is in my opinion the crown jewel of Pixi's line. This toner leaves skin indeed glowing as the name indicates but also hydrated and exfoliated as well. I also love the scent because it reminds me of my late grandmother's perfume- in a wonderfully nostalgic way.

• Natural Brow Duo- This multi tasking duel sided brow wizard has an automatic brow pomade pencil on one side, that has a chiseled angle applicator which is easy to use and gives great volume to the brows as well as nice color. The other end houses your setting brow gel which doesn't flake and keeps the brows in place all day and night.

• Fairy Dust- A great loose pigment eye shadow that is finely milled and easy to apply with a built in sponge applicator. I love the shimmer tones and the pigment is beautiful and lasts with out creasing. Add a primer before hand for a brighter color payoff.

• Shea Butter Lip Balm- I love these soft lip balms with a hint of tint and tons of moisture. The sheer colors are beautiful and they wear like a dream.

• Sheer Cheek Gel- The bright pigments in these gels look intimidating at first but they are quite dewey and mellow once applied to the skin. The gel texture isn't sticky at all and gives a nice bright pop of color to the cheeks that looks lit from within.

• Quick Fix Powder- Set your face for an all day matte finish with this innovative powder puff. The packaging is genius and mess free- which I love and gives you the benefits of a loose powder without the white residue all over your countertop or clothing. I don't care for the scent on this one, but the oil absorption and matte properties are top notch.

Have you tried any Pixi products? Got any favorites to share with us? Let me know in the comments down below, and thanks so much for stopping by today! And if you didn't hear about my girl

MaskCara

's new

makeup launch

, be sure you head over there to check it out. I already bought be custom palette and I can't wait to get it! 

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BLUE RIBBON WINNERS: DERMALOGICA SKINCARE

A long time ago, in a far away place called Salt Lake City... a little girl named Megan went to beauty school. Megan didn't even know what the word 'esthetics' meant, let alone that someone could have a career in it... but thanks to Dermalogica, she fell in love with the study of skincare and the rest is history!

***

Yes, it's true! When I went to beauty school- I had never even heard the word '

esthetics

' before, and I had no idea that I would be learning about skincare as part of my cosmetology training. I was 17 after all, so I hadn't paid much attention to my skin just yet. But, my education in the spa world opened my eyes to the wonder of that part of the beauty industry, and luckily for me-

Dermalogica

was a big part of that experience.

I've continued to use and love many of the Dermalogica products that I used during my school days. After all it's one of the top skincare lines in the world, and its' products are loved by millions. I wanted to share with you my top picks from the line, maybe there is one just right for you as well!

Dynamic Skin Recovery

- This little bottle of goodness has freakin 50 SPF in it, yet it isn't thick or greasy like traditional sunscreen. It is a lightweight daily moisturizer that is geared for anti-aging and is seriously so good. Don't mess around when it comes to sunscreen. Just use it everyday and be glad you did later. It isn't cheap, but a little goes a long way- and you'll be much more likely to use a sunscreen if it is high quality and good for your skin like this one is.

Ultra Soothing Eye Serum

- I have crazy sensitive eyes! The actual eyeballs them selves (I can't walk outside without sunglasses on), plus the skin around my eyes stings with almost every product that touches it. This eye serum has never irritated my eyes, and is so lovely. I always go back to it.

Overnight Clearing Gel

- The name says it all. Put this stuff of your blemishes at night, and they'll be reduced in size by at least half in the morning. I use it religiously for my troubled skin.

Environmental Control Deodorant

- I don't know why I love this stuff SO MUCH... deodorant is not something I usually splurge on. But this has a mens cologne scent that I just can't get enough of! It's a clear gel/solid formula, and I think it is divine. [I'm a weirdo, I guess]

Multi Vitamin Power Recovery Masque

- Heaven in a Tube! I wear this Vitamin C masque for hours on end. The creamy orange masque leaves skin feeling totally refreshed and glowing, and it is so good for post peel or microdermabrasion treatments. Must have.

Cheers to great skin! Let me know if you have any Dermalogica favorites, and be sure you vote on

instagram

, to tell me which #LOOKSTHATROCK you want me to recreate from the VMA's.

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*Dynamic Recovery sample provided by Dermalogica via iFabbo