Dre Does Fall Makeup Essentials

Here I am with part two of my Fall Essentials! Time for the good stuff, MAKEUP!

In the fall, I typically go for a few basic looks: 

-an intense and dark smokey eye with a nude lip

-winged liner, defined shadow, and dark, vampy lips, 

-and a strong brow, lots of lashes, and a bright lip, not necessarily dark and vampy.

Here are the types of products I use to achieve these looks!

1. Nude Lipstick: My first look I mentioned requires a nice nude lip. Therefore, a few different nudes are vital in my fall makeup collection. I have so many favorites and the nude best for you really depends on your skin's undertones and how nude you want to go. 

2. Warm Plum Eye Looks: I love warmer eyeshadow looks for fall and the combo of plums and purples with warm browns is really one of my favorites. I highly recommend the Amrezy Palette by Anastasia Beverly Hills to create looks like this but there are many other shadows that will get the job done!

3. Matte Eyeshadows: My other favorite eyelook for fall is a simple matte shadow with am intense winged liner. It pairs perfectly with dark and vampy lipstick. Having a palette with matte browns like either the Naked Basics or Naked Basics 2 palette, gives you the ability to define the lid while keeping it very neutral. If you want a tutorial on how I do this click here for a look I created with my Naked Basics palette.

4. Matte Gel Eyeliner: Like I just mentioned, I love winged liner in the fall to pair with dark lips. I love how classic yet edgy it can be depending on what shade of lipstick you choose. 

5. Matte Natural Blush: While I always do love a good amount of blush, I love a more natural and matte look for the winter. My favorite blushes of all time have to be Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blushes but I especially love all the shades they have and the longevity of wear. They come in shimmery shades as well, but I live in their matte shades for Fall. 

6. Defined Brows: Maybe it's because I'm an Arch Expert for Benefit Cosmetics but I love a good defined and strong brow in the colder months. I love them especially paired with winged liner and a dark lip, but let's be real. If you know me, you know that I always rock a strong brow year round.

7. They're Real Mascara: In order to pull off darker eye looks and thick winged liner, you need a great mascara to balance the look out. I live for Benefit's They're Real so it probably comes as no shock that I'm posting about it. The brush and formula both stand out among all of the other mascaras I've ever tried and if you haven't tried it out yet, WHAT are you waiting for?!

8. Dark and Vampy Lipstick: Didn't see this one coming did you? Haha I saved my favorite for last because I simply can't get enough dark lipstick in the fall. I am constantly purchasing it and finding new shades I love, both drugstore and higher end. If you missed my post about one of my favorite shades and formulas click here. I know that if you aren't used to dark shades they can be hard to get used to so start small with lip stains, glosses, or tinted balms, and slowly work your way up to the good stuff! Haha 

What makeup products/looks do you gravitate towards in the Fall? 

Have a beautiful Wednesday,

Dre

Dre Does Fall Fashion Essentials

I love fall. The food, the weather, and football are awesome, but I have to say that the makeup and the fashion are my favorite parts about it. So I've decided to share my favorites in both categories in two separate posts. First up is fashion! 

1. Cream Sweaters: I don't really know what it is about cream but I can't get enough slouchy and comfy sweaters in this shade for fall. I currently own at least five and I love them all. I think they help offset all the black and darker colors I love this time of year, while still staying neutral. It's hard to pull off creams and nudes like this as our skin says bye to the summer glow and lightens up, but I think my dark features help me out. I love layering these as the days get chillier and I certainly wear them into the winter months. 

2. Leather Jacket: It doesn't take reading my blog to realize that a leather jacket is a vital fall staple. I feel like fall fashion leans to the edgier side and a good leather jacket can add some instant edge to any girlier look. They're good for throwing over dresses, skinny jeans, etc, and helping us transition those summer outfits into fall weather appropriate looks! I got mine at Forever 21 a few years ago and it's still going strong, so don't think you have to spend hundreds on a genuine leather piece to pull off this look.

3. Simple Basic T's: I love basic T's for fall because they are great for layering. Weather it's under sweaters, jackets, scarves...whatever, t shirts help us in the layering department. If you live anywhere near the Midwest you know how it can be 40 degrees in the morning when you're getting dressed and then suddenly feel like 80 by the time afternoon hits. Bipolar weather is only survived by utilizing layers my friends so always stock up on good basic t shirts. 

4. Military Inspired Jakcet: My army green jacket is from last fall at The Gap and I'm obsessed with it. While mine doesn't have a hood like this one, it does cinch in the waist which I love. Sometimes with layers, things can get a little bulky and your shape can get lost beneath, so jackets with cinched waists are always your friend! I love how army green is relatively neutral, so I mix it with blacks, nudes, and grays for fall and love the outcome! I always love using a scarf with a pop of color with this jacket because it's a bit unexpected. 

5. Infinity Scarves: If you don't own at least one infinity scarf by now I'm not really sure how you managed it but I'm obsessed. I love how effortless and easy they are to throw on and not only keep you warm, but also keep you looking stylish. While dark fall colors like black and burgundy are fun, I like wearing ones with bright colors to accessorize my outfits since I already wear so much black. 

6. Ankle Boots: I was hesitant last year to pick up a pair of ankle boots because I feared they would make my legs look shorter but I've never gotten so much use out of a pair of shoes! Mine have buckles and a zipper, but they seriously look amazing with everything! Skinny jeans, dresses, skirts...you name it!

7. Crossbody bags: I don't know what it is about fall but I hate actually holding onto a purse, so crossbody bags save me. I love neutrals (shocker I know...haha) because once again they go with my favorite fall wardrobe colors. I have been liking the mid sized crossbody bags more as opposed to the really little ones, because I find as I'm getting older, I need more room for things.

8. Black Skinny Jeans: I love good old fashioned dark washed skinny jeans, but there's something about black that I love for fall and winter. They make my legs look the best and match everything I have in my wardrobe. 

What are your favorites for fall? Let me know below and look for my Fall Makeup Essentials coming later this week! 

Have a beautiful week,

Dre

Dre Does a Drugstore Lipstick Must Have

Rimmel London does some amazing products. Everyone knows the cult favorite Stay Matte powder and if you know me, I've probably recommended the Rimmel Lash Accelerator mascara to you before, but I've never really mentioned any of their lip products. 

Since we are entering fall and the time for dark vampy lipstick, I figured I would share my favorite dark lipstick from the drugstore. It's my favorite because of not only the shade, but the formula as well. Rimmel teamed up with Kate Moss to create the Kate Moss line awhile ago, but the lipsticks haven't left stores yet and I'm hoping they don't anytime soon! 

They created both a Lasting Finish Matte line (in red tubes) and a Lasting Finish line (in black tubes) as well. My personal favorite is the Lasting Finish formula in the shade 01. It's a deep red shade that has a pretty neutral undertone and I just love it! 

The formula of these lipsticks is awesome because they are the perfect inbetween matte and glossy finish. You get great pigmentation, no drying, yet the look isn't too shiny. I own multiple shades in this formula and I highly recommend trying them out. At only $4.99 how can you not? Haha 

Let me know what your favorite shade and formula from the drugstore is below!

Have a beautiful week,

Dre

Dre Does Current Fall Fashion Lusts

As much as I don't want to admit it because it means summer is coming to an end, I am really excited for fall. I baked my first fall-themed recipe (apple cinnamon muffins that were too die for!) and I've been glancing more at fall fashion so I think it's time I admit it. I'M READY FOR YOU FALL! It's like the time when I kept listening to Rhianna songs on repeat but refused to admit that I liked her. Was that a bad analogy? Oh well! Let's talk clothes!!

Warning: I wear a lot of black as a makeup artist, so I gravitate towards black. I just can't help it! It is so easy to pair and always matches a red lip. As Rachel Zoe once said, "I'll stop wearing black when they make a darker color".

I tried this blazer on at H&M last week, in all black (shocker!) and I was in love. This pastel pink color is really starting to grow on me though. The leather detailing along the lapel and the pockets is so great and it fit so well. You're probably wondering why I didn't get it, but the truth is I was visiting this H&M for the first time since it opened and I had a strict list of what I needed and I was trying so hard not to deviate from it. Go me. I'm going to be going back soon and I figured if that size 6 black blazer is still waiting there for me, it will just be meant to be in my closet. Maybe it will even take a trip into Sale-land before then. (A girl can dream)

This skirt from Express gives me life. I love anything that hits at your natural waist because I am definition hour glass shaped and if I don't emphasize my natural waist, I can look much heavier than I actually am. I love how this is knee length but has the sheer panel. I think it adds a classy bit of sexiness in an unexpected way. I will for sure be stalking this online and waiting for some great Express coupons to make sure it becomes mine!

This jacket from The Gap is beautiful. If you know me personally you probably know my obsession with Gap. I get all of my jeans and pants from them and find that if I want a good classic piece that is going to last in my wardrobe for a while, The Gap is my place to go. I love the shade of gray of this jacket and can already think of a million tanks in my closet that I would pair it with to transition my summer wardrobe into fall.

You will be seeing many more of these posts as we get closer to fall and I spend more time browsing fall collections. What do you have your eye on for fall? Send me links, pictures, whatever! I love to get inspiration from others. 

Have a beautiful start to your week,

Dre