Dre Does Summer Pops of Lip Color

In honor of the first day of Summer coming up on Sunday, I wanted to something devoted to my favorite lipsticks for summer. If there's a makeup product that I can never have enough of, it's definitely lipstick. I absolutely love the colors of lipstick that the warmer months bring.

I have a very olive skin tone, so my favorite colors to rock with a tan are definitely cool-toned pinks and fuchsia shades. A close second are the corals. With both groups though, I love to do very luminous and glowy skin, minimal bronzed eyes and then the pop of color with the lips. I'm going to show you both high end and drugstore options for both categories.

The Fuchsias: These are my absolute favorite types of shades to wear in the summer. They compliment my skin tone the best and I especially love these four below!

 

Revlon Colorburst Balm Stain "Smitten"($9.49): This is a twist up crayon type product that leaves a beautiful stain with a glossy finish (Mine is in the old packaging so it is called a Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain but these have since been renamed to Colorburst Balm Stains).

NYX Butter Lipstick "Hunk" ($5.99): Cream finish lipstick with medium pigmentation.

MAC Sheen Supreme ($18): Sheer to medium pigmentation, high shine finish and very moisturizing on the lips. I have gone through two of these tubes already. I love this formula for a glossy lipstick.

Revlon Lip Butter "Lollipop" ($8.49): One of the more pigmented lip butters from the line; moisturizing too.

The Cool-Toned Pinks: While I'm not much of a pink girl, these two cooler shades are amazing for the summer!

 

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm "Unapologetic" ($9.49): I love the formula of these matte balms; long-wearing and not too drying; great pigment. 

Revlon Lip Butter "Sweet Tart" (discontinued shade): Unfortunately this shade of lip butter is discontinued but I still wanted to show it to you because you might already have it and it's a good reference for color. I wanted to show the products I'm really wearing! 

The Corals: I do love a good coral in the summer, so here are a few I like to rock.

Revlon Lip Butter "Tutti Frutti" (discontinued shade): Another discontinued shade but I wanted you to see how pigmented and great these lip butter shades are. I love them for people wanting to try bright lipsticks for the first time.
Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick "Light it up" ($18): Cream lipstick with full pigmentation that also moisturizes.
MAC "Mangrove" (limited edition): Again unfortunately this one is hard to come by because it was a part of the limited edition Proenza Schouler Collection from last summer, but I wear this shade ALL the time when I have a tan. MAC has other shades that are similar to it. Matte finish, long-wearing, and great pigmentation.

I hope you enjoyed my favorite pops of lip color for the summer time! What are some of your favorites? I hope these gave you some inspiration to try some new shades and be a little bolder with your lip color this summer!

Have a beautiful weekend,

Dre

Dre Does Tinted Lips

Every lipstick obsessed woman knows that spring means saying hello to brighter pinks, corals, and reds on your lips for the upcoming warmer weather. However, for many of us this change in season can bring about changes in our lips. As a woman who loves her lip color, especially in a drier matte finish, I have to make sure that my lips have days where I am taking good care of them by moisturizing well and prepping them for those days I want to make a bold statement with my lips.

That is where this post comes in. Just because we have to have days where we take a break from intense matte lip colors, doesn't mean you have to slap on that cheap, clear chapstick. If that's what you love to do, go you! However, these two tinted lip balms are for my ladies that still want to make sure their lips are looking bright.

If you're someone who is new to lipsticks and slightly intimidated by the bolder and brighter colors, I urge you to try these products as a way to get used to wearing brighter colors on your lips without the full commitment.

 

Enter the It Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush 4-in-1 Reviver Lipstick Stain in 'Je Na Sais Quoi' and the Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in 'Tulip'. These are my go to products for a moisture and tint combo. 

The first by It Cosmetics is a very unique product because it looks a little bit different on everyone. The balm is completely clear and reacts with the pH of your lips to change color. I have swatched it below but it gives a much more obvious pigment on the lips that compliments them so well. On me the color is a bright pink that I love for spring and summer. With Plum & Cherry oil, Shea Butter, Argan & Jojoba, Vitamins A, C, & E, Green & White Tea and Aloe, this tinted balm leaves your lips so moisturized and smooth feeling. It's called the 4-in-1 Reviver Lipstick Stain because it's designed to replace your four typical lip products in one; anti-aging lip balm, lipstick, lip gloss, and lip stain.

 

My other tinted lip balm is one that I have loved for years. The original Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in the shade Rose was a very popular product that I tried years ago and fell in love with. While it didn't offer that much pigment, I really loved how moisturizing the grapeseed and other oils helped my lips feel. The secret to this product is in it's name! Sugar! Sugar is a natural humectant that helps the lips prevent moisture loss. Fast forward to a few years later and now Fresh has a whole line of shades in this Sugar Lip Treatment line. All with SPF 15 which is extremely important in the warmer months. (Click here to visit Tuesday's post on SPF.) I love how the line now features some that are sheer and some like Tulip that have much more pigment. 

 

Overall, I think it is key for every woman to have a good tinted lip balm or two in her purse at all times that she can count on for color and good moisturization. Both of these products are offered in many other shades as well, if these pinks aren't your favorite! 

*It Cosmetics can be purchased in store at Ulta, but also online at Ulta.com, QVC.com, and Itcosmetics.com. The Vitality Lip Flushes retail for $20.

*Fresh can be purchased in store at Sephora stores, but also online at Sephora.com and Fresh.com. The Sugar Lip Treatment Line ranges in price from $22.50 to $25. 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

(Both products were purchased with my own money and all opinions are my own)

Dre Does A MAC Haul

So I'm back and here with a MAC Haul which was technically purchased a few days before the end of 2914. The only reason I'm telling you this is because I have decided to go on a 100 day No Buy, that started on January 1st. So far I'm 12 days in and have been successful so here's to hoping I can make it until April! I encourage you to join me! I am only buying necessities in all aspects of life, not just beauty. Obviously if I run out of my mascara I can go buy another but no trying new things until the 100 days are up! Wish me luck because it's already painful and it's only week 2...

Back to the MAC Haul. I wanted to share it because I can't stop using these products since I bought them. Two were repurchases but the other three were new to me and I'm obsessed.

If you've been reading my blog for a while you know that my absolute holy grail undereye concealer is the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer and I was out of my winter shade (NC20) so I picked it up. I like the slight yellow tone to correct the purpleness of my dark circles. I also had to pick up a new tube of All Fired Up because it decided to go swimming with a load of my laundry and it's a must have color for me. I always get complimented on it when I wear it so it never fails me in completing my look. I love how it's the perfect mix between red and pink without being too bright. It's a retro matte finish like the cult classic Ruby Woo, which I love so go swatch it sometime and you'll see what I mean. Now I've been digging nudes of brown and mauve recently so after swatching Spice, Cosmo, and Kinda Sexy, I knew I had to take them all home. I love the amplified finish of Cosmo and I wear it at least a few days a week right now. I also love how Spice can add a brown tone to any lipstick if you put it on underneath.

I'm going to be doing a makeup look soon for you, showing you what I've been doing almost every day for the past few months, but you can probably guess that Cosmo, Spice, and Kinda Sexy will be involved in it. 

Let me know if you have any requests or ideas for me to conquer in the next couple of weeks! 

Have a beautiful day, 

Dre

Dre Does September Favorites

My favorite post of the month is here! I don't have that many favorites because I've been very much stuck in a routine lately as far as makeup and skin care goes. I just purchased some new things though so look for some new things come October Favorites time! 

1. tarte Pure Maracuja Oil: This oil is a repeat favorite because it is seriously amazing. I feel like not that many people know much about it but it's a holy grail item for my skincare routine. I use it at night as my moisturizer and I wake up every morning with baby soft skin. It has tons of vitamin C in it so it does wonders at brightening and evening out my skin tone. You can use it all over your body to moisturize but I am so obsessed that I will only use it on my face so it lasts longer. Haha 

2. Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Lipsticks: I have been obsessed with these since I bought them a few weeks ago. They really are as wonderful as everyone has been saying. I have 5 shades but I've been wearing Daringly Nude and Divine Wine the most. Click here for my review on these that I shared last week!

3. Ole Henriksen Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser: I have yet to find my perfect cleanser. While I did like The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil Cleanser for Oily Skin, I just wasn't in love so when I took a trip to Sephora a few weeks ago I spotted this guy and I'm obsessed. It gives me such a good deep clean and I really think it does a great job at soothing and cleansing my skin. I feel like my breakouts are slowing down and becoming fewer and this has to be a part of it. 

4. Si by Georgio Armani: This perfume is amazing. When I first smelled it at work I thought it was a tad too old for me, but I slowly became more and more obsessed with it. I spray it almost every time I go to work and I can't get enough. I love the sophisticated warm aroma it gives and I get complimented on it all the time! 

5. Benefit's Hard Angle Brow Brush: This is my go to brow brush to use my Benefit Browzings wax and powder duo. It is the brush we use at work to do our brow mapping and filling in so that is how I discovered it and fell in love. It is the perfect amount of firm bristles for a brow brush because you can get a very precise line without it taking forever. If I could change one thing about it, I would just want there to be a spooly on the end to comb through my brows with, but other than that I'm obsessed and won't ever use another brow brush! You could use it as a liner brush too if you wanted.

6. Sephora Rouge Cream in Passion Red: This is one of my all time favorite lipsticks. It's probably tied with that Rimmel Kate Moss deep red I shared a few weeks ago, but the formula of this lipstick and color are both to DIE for. I am being serious when I say I would wear this shade every day if I could. Here's a picture of me wearing it below. Seriously you need it...all of you. I promise you won't regret this color if you like dark fall tones! 

What were you loving last month? Let me know in a comment below and if you ever try any of my recommendations be sure to let me know what you think!

Have a wonderful October my beautiful friends,

Dre

Dre Does a Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Lipstick Review

I have been hearing so much about the new Maybelline Color Sensational Matte lipsticks since they came out and have been patiently waiting for the ULTA I work at to get them in. However, after a few weeks and nothing showing up I decided to go on the hunt for them because they keep getting such rave reviews! I found them at my local Meijer and they were around $5.50 each. The line has ten shades but I picked up my favorite five and have swatched and applied them for you below! 

First let's talk about the formula. They are such creamy matte lipsticks! They are one of the most moisturizing feeling mattes I have ever tried, yet they give a completely matte look which I love. They also feel so smooth and soft on the lips. The pigmentation is awesome as you can see below and they wear really well. I love how moisturizing they feel especially after some time. When you put your lips together you can feel some smooth product on your lips instead of the dry roughness you normally get with typical matte lipstick formulas. They also don't dry your lips out as much as typical matte formulas. 

Now for some swatches! 

Daringly Nude (655)

Lust For Blush (665)

Mesmerizing Magenta (680)

Siren In Scarlet (690)

Divine Wine (695)

I highly suggest you go check these out if you like matte lip products, and even if you don't I think you'd be surprised how nice the formula is for the price!

Have a beautiful week friends,

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 a Quick Tip

Happy Monday friends! I'm here with a quick tip that involves your lips as we transition into the fall. 

The summer is all about bright lipstick shades like pink and coral, but just because fall is almost here doesn't mean you have to store them away until next spring! Try applying them differently. I love using my finger to apply my bright summer shades to my lips and really pressing them in so that they look more like a stain. They won't be as bright and will give you a lighter wash of color. I especially love pairing this trick with darker and more intense eye looks because it's more fun than a nude lip! 

Have a beautiful week,

Dre

Dre Does a Lorac PRO Matte Lip Color Review

I was going to wait until I picked up some more shades of these before I did a review but I can't wait any longer! I am obsessed with this lip product. I swatch them all the time at work and recommend them to women almost daily haha. If you haven't played with them yet, you need to! I own the shade Mauve and it is amazing. It's basically a darker shade of my natural lip color. As it wears it dries a little darker but I love it just the same. These lip colors go on so smoothly for a matte product. I love that they are in a twistable pencil form because it makes them so easy to apply (like a fat lip liner). They definitely don't feel matte when they go on but after a little while they dry to a nice matte finish. What I love about them though is that they don't dry your lips out or look super cracked and dry as they wear. I feel like they almost make my lips look fuller and more plump because of how they wear. 

Now let's talk about the staying power. They last so incredibly long! The main color and outline will for sure last you all day but I'd say that the only part I had to touch up was the inner part of my lips but that's from eating and drinking throughout the day. I recommend them to women always if they are looking for a matte long wearing lip color. The range of colors is great too; all the way from nude to a deep Merlot shade. I especially love how they have a few rosy shades, like Mauve, that vary in tone so everyone can find a natural lip color that suits them best. 

Overall there are 12 shades in total (I will probably buy most of them for my makeup kit because they are that good!) and they retail for $16 each! Now for some swatches of the shade Mauve!

If you try one out let me know which shade you chose! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does a Classic Makeup Look

A while ago I wrote a review on the Naked Basics palette showing how it was an absolute necessity for all women. So today as I was doing my makeup for work I decided to do a look completely with a palette and share with you all so you could see how wonderful it actually is! (Pssst. Urban Decay announced they will be releasing a Naked Basics 2 Palette so you can only imagine how excited I am for that release!!!) The look I chose is very classic because I knew I wanted to pair it with MAC Ruby Woo because I haven't worn it in awhile and I live for this lipstick. (Also don't mind my beautiful pajamas that I was getting ready in....haha)

 

This look was super easy. I simply first applied W.O.S. all over the lid and up to my brow. Next I used a fluffy crease brush (I'm not sure of the brand because it's old and rubbed off!) to blend Naked 2 into my crease.  Next I concentrated Faint into the outer V with my Sigma E39 that was slightly more dense to give me a more concentrated application. I went back to my other blending brush that I used Naked 2 with, and without adding any extra color I blended everything more. Lastly I used my favorite Real Techniques Eye brush the base shadow brush to further define the outer V by mixing Faint with Crave. After some more blending with my Sigma E71, I used my favorite eyeliner, Benefit's They're Real Push Up Liner to give myself some winged liner. For me this isn't that dramatic but if you're new to winged liner start small and work your way up to more drama! Two coats of my favorite mascara Benefit's They're Real, and the look was done. All I had to do was add my Ruby Woo lipstick and this classic makeup look was done!

What do you think? Let me know if you try this look! Send me pictures on Instagram with the #DreDoes if you do!!

Have a beautiful day friends,

Dre

Dre Does May Favorites

Favorites posts are some of the most fun to write because I love sharing all of the things I love with you! Coincidentally May is my favorite month because of my birthday and the weather finally deciding to warm up, so I like this post even more! Here we go :)

(Top row L to R)

1. Sam Smith: If you don't know Sam Smith by now you're probably living under a rock. He's been featured in a bunch of new songs lately like Latch and La La La, so chances are even if you don't think you know of him, you've heard him. His voice is unreal and you need to listen if you haven't. He's the perfect blend of R&B and pop and I can't get enough. His song Stay With Me is my ultimate fave but others are slowly creeping up to that honor too.

2. The Body Shop Body Butter in Coconut: I bought the small version of this body butter when I was in Chicago for Memorial Day. I'm kicking myself now for not buying the massive jumbo sized tub because the smell and feeling are so luxiourous and wonderful. The scent is perfect for summer and the dry skin that the sun leaves us!

3. Victoria's Secret Forever Sexy Twist Bandeau Top: I finally broke down and bought this bikini top in black after much consideration. The fact of the matter is that if you have a larger bust you need to invest in a good bikini top with underwire that fits and feels secure. I'm just trying to get a tan, not give everyone a free show! I highly recommend this bikini if you have bigger boobs and have a hard time finding bikinis!

4. MAC Cosmetics Fix +: This setting spray is my favorite because you can also use it before your makeup. If you want to make your eyeshadow pop, spray your brush with it beforehand and then go into your eyeshadow. This will intensify the shadow so much and help it stay put! I love setting my makeup with it though because I feel like it just melts everything together to give me a blended and seamless look! 

(Bottom row L to R)

5. Havaianas in as many colors as possible: I challenge you to find a Brazilian that doesn't own at least a few pairs of Havaianas. They are the only flip flops I wear and I have at least 10 pairs... They are the most comfortable to me and I'll stop wearing them when I stop being Brazilian...so NEVER! I think I own one other pair of flip flops that aren't Havaianas but even at that they are still a Brazilian brand haha

6. Proenza Schouler for MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Mangrove: When I was at the MAC counter a few weeks ago, I spotted this packaging and I said a little prayer silently that there was a shade that would justify me spending that much money on a lipstick. Luckily I found Mangrove! A beautiful vibrant coral that screams summer and tan skin. I've worn it a few times and every time I get compliments. The packaging is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen and I will cherish this lipstick for a long time! (That sounds super dramatic but if you're reading this you probably have had a similar love affair with a lip product before...right...? Haha)

7. Kettle bell: I recently picked up a kettle bell from my local Target because it was on sale and I was dying to own one. I'd been using one at the gym I'd been going to but since I moved I have been working out at home. I'm obsessed with it! It's so much fun and I'm seeing huge results, especially in my arms. They're the most toned and muscular that they've ever been and I owe it to this little friend! If you YouTube kettle bell workouts there are plenty of ideas on how to get started. I also love how it doesn't take up much space to store or to use.

8. MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Concealer: Behold my favorite undereye concealer of all time. It covers so well and doesn't crease at all. I make sure to set it with a finely milled translucent powder after applied but I do this will all concealer to prolong the wear. The difference when applying to undereye darkness and circles is insane and I don't think I'll ever go without it. I had heard so many good things about it so I finally picked it up and I couldn't be happier that I did! I will probably be doing a review on it soon if you'd like to see that!

There they are...my favorites of May! Let me know in a comment below what you were loving! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does an Ipsy Review

I'm back with a review on my March Ipsy Glambag and it was an awesome bag this month! I only received four products compared to the normal amount of five, but as you'll see in the totals later, this didn't decrease the value of the bag at all. Three out of four of the brands were higher end products which is great to see! Below is a summary of all the products and the bag.

The bag this month was really unique and featured the artwork of the artist Klari Reis. The design was inspired by the neighborhoods of San Francisco and I love the unique print. I think this is an awesome aspect of this months bag! 

First product up is the Marvelous Moxie Lipstick by bareMinerals in the shade Get Ready. It's a great natural shade that will look good on most skin tones, as it isn't extremely cool or warm. I absolutely love the formula of this lipstick and would definitely look into purchasing more after trying this mini one. As a typical woman I'm obsessed with the cute little size of this lipstick and I think it's a great shade and size to keep in your purse for everyday wear since it can match any makeup look and outfit choice. This 1.5g mini lipstick is valued at $7.71 (full size is $18). 

Next up is the Chella Felt Tip Eyeliner in Indigo Blue. It claims to be water resistant, smudge proof, and stain resistant as well, while being free of parabens which is awesome. While I found all of these claims to be true when I wore it, I did have a problem with the application using the felt tip. When you swatch it on the back of your hand it has great flow and pigmentation, but when you hold it up to your eye to draw a wing like I did, I found the tip didn't get enough saturation so it took a long time to get an exact fine tip to my wing. The color is gorgeous however and I received many compliments on it, so I'll definitely keep testing it out! This is a full size product valued at $24! This brings the total so far to $31.71.

Next I received a Love in Rio Eyeshadow Trio from NYX Cosmetics in the shade Voodoo Love Spells. I really like these shades. It's a great little everyday palette as there are two mattes (the darker shades) and one shimmer (the lightest). While these shadows aren't the most pigmented that I've ever tried from NYX, they are still good for that everyday eye look. This is the full size palette and it's value is $6.00, bringing my bag total to $37.71 so far!

Pixi is a brand that I always seem to swatch and look at when I'm in Target, but due to their larger price tag (for Target) I have never actually bought anything from the line before. I'm a sucker for face primers so I was really excited to see this really deluxe sized sample in my Glambag. It has a great sheen to it but it doesn't make you look oily. It doesn't have that silicon texture that a lot of primers have (i.e. Smashbox photo finish and Benefit's Porefessional) so if you don't like that, I recommend trying this one out. It has a subtle pink undertone to it, but it doesn't show up when blended out on your skin. I really like the smooth texture it gives my skin before applying my foundation. This deluxe sized sample is valued at $9.00 so my grand total value of my March Ipsy Glambag is $46.71! This is an awesome value for only getting 4 products! It's the second highest valued bag that I've gotten so far! Good job Glambag :) 

As usual I've linked my previous month's bags and my link to sign up if you're interested! 

February Ipsy Review ($45.02)

January Ipsy Review ($38.17)

December Ipsy Review ($57.17)

Click here to subscribe to Ipsy yourself!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does February Favorites

| Click to Enlarge |

Happy March friends! We're officially one month closer to spring and warmer weather! While that is one of my favorites I'm here with the things I loved most in the month of February. 

1. tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara: In February, tarte sent out a coupon code for valentines day so I took the opportunity to pick up their Christmas gift set I had wanted since it was already marked down. It came with two of these mascaras and I'm obsessed. It lengthens and volumizes so well and I feel like it holds curl really well too. The only con is that it's a little more difficult to get off at night than some of my other favorite mascaras but it's nothing compared to Benefit's They're Real, so that's good. I gave my sister a tarte eye set for Christmas and this came in it and she's obsessed too! While it is $19, I think it's a great mascara to keep on hand even if you use it only for special occasions. 

2. Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipstic in 01: I love the finish of these lipsticks. Great pigmentation and they really do stay on for a long time. I love the finish because it's a happy mix of matte and gloss but I'd say they lean more to matte side. Whenever I wear this shade I get compliments and people think it's a really high end lipstick. So if you're daring enough to try something bold, go out to your local drugstore and pick this one up. I haven't tried the matte line by Kate yet, but after such success with the Lasting Finish line, I know it won't be long. 

3. Aveda Botanical Kinetics Liquid Exfoliant: I'm working on a few posts dedicated to my skin care routine so I'll go more in depth about this product there, but I recently added this chemical exfoliant to my night time routine and I think it's helping tremendously with getting rid of the acne and scarring on my chin. If you're new to exfoliation, check out my post on why it's so important here.

4. Bubble baths: We can't rid our lives of stress, but we can work on how we manage it so it doesn't affect our mind, body, skin, and everything inbetween. Bubble baths are one of my favorite stress management techniques. I made a promise to myself that is was going to take more of them in 2014 and so far I'm doing pretty well. If you're having trouble sleeping at night, try a bath beforehand to calm and relax you. 

5. MAC Cosmetics Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Superb: How does one stay away from beautifully packaged Rose Gold products? Don't look at me for the answer because I took one glance at the MAC counter and I was sold. Right now since I'm a little paler, I love using a little of this with a matte blush to give me more of a glow. I think in the summer time though this would make an amazing highlight for bronzed skin. I'll keep you updated on that if we ever see the sun again here in Michigan...

6. Thank You Power by Deborah Norville: My dad gave me this book for Christmas and I absolutely loved it. It's a quick and easy read about focusing more on our gratitude in all aspects of life because situations will not only turn out better for us, but we will be much happier. It's filled with many short stories and examples of how thank you power has helped others in all kinds of problems, big and small. I really recommend reading it. We can't control the things that happen to us, but we can control our attitude while we handle them. Gratitude plays a huge part in making us stronger through the tough times. 

7. Sharpie Pens: I'm not really sure how I survived life before these guys, but they are the only pens I will use. I love how they come in many colors so that my planner can be super organized. Just stay away from the clickable ones because I find those dry out faster. I like the simple skinny ones with the caps.

8. tarte Lipsurgence Lip Cremes: This set of 4 came with that Christmas set I mentioned earlier and I'm obsessed with them. The Lipsurgence line has multiple finishes but this is by far my favorite one so far. Great pigmentation with just enough gloss to keep your lips moisturized. I especially love the shade because it's a dark brown nude that I honestly might never have tried if it hadn't come in this set. It's a great color if you want something besides red to stand out boldly. I'm excited to try more shades like this.

9. Stila's Stay All Day waterproof liquid eye liner in Intense Black: I had been hearing tons of great things about this eyeliner so I decided to pick it up last time I was in Ulta. It has the best staying power I've ever seen in a liquid eyeliner which is exactly what I need when I'm doing more dramatic cat eye looks. I also love how fine the felt tip is so you can get a really precise and thin wing. I'm curious to see how long it lasts before drying up though, so I'll keep you updated on that! 

What were your favorites this month? Leave me a comment below if you're loving something you think I should try. I'm always excited to hear what others are loving at the moment!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does Quick Tips for Looking Pulled Together in a Flash

Happy Monday friends! I'm back with more quick tips, except this week they're centered around how to look like you've spent more time getting ready than you really have. Whether your alarm doesn't go off, you hit snooze a few too many times, or plans change and have to be somewhere quickly, these are my tips on how to look pulled together in a pinch. 

1. Practice a makeup routine that's extremely quick and get good at it. This way you can repeat it quickly when you're in a hurry. For me it's foundation, concealer, and blush. I have my go-to products that always work for my skin and a neutral blush that matches everything. 

2. Find a bright lipstick that looks really good on you and get used to wearing it. I have my go-to red lipstick that I always keep in my purse. The key idea in these tips is to bring the focus to areas that you can amp up in a rush. Lips are huge for this because they bring the focus to your lip color which in the world of makeup are much quicker to apply than doing a dramatic smokey eye. So remember, bright lips = instant glam. 

3. Buy a pair of statement stud earrings. Earrings are such an easy and quick way to change your look. My go-to pair are neutral huge flowers so I can wear them with any outfit but they still pack a punch. Pair these with the bright lips and you will surely have brought the focus away from any areas you didn't have time to glam up. 

4. Go in your closet and find an outfit that makes you feel great. It's no secret to us women how amazing a good outfit can make you feel. So always have one on standby in your closet that you know will always fit right and make you look your best. This way no matter how rushed you are, you will have that guaranteed boost of confidence from knowing you already like your outfit. This ones huge and I always make sure to have a few ready incase I haven't done laundry but I recommend at least one! Whether it's a shirt in your favorite color or a dress that hugs your curves just right, you will look more pulled together in something you love.

5. Practice a hairstyle that's quick and easy like a sock bun. Having a go-to hairstyle is key when you're in a rush incase you don't have time to shower and re-do your hair. I personally love a good top knot or sock bun, but whatever works for your hair length and style, practice it! Your hair is key in making you look pulled together (unless you're one of those blessed people who can rock messy hair without looking like a homeless person...in which I say props to you!)

As you can tell, the general theme is to brainstorm and practice ideas beforehand and also use bright colors or statement pieces to bring the focus away from areas you don't have time to do in a rush. Do you have any tips for getting ready in a pinch? Leave a comment below and let me know what helps you!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does Bold Lips 3 Ways

The number one request I get from friends is "teach me how to wear lipstick!" So I've got three ways for you to try this popular winter trend! Before attempting any of these looks however, make sure to apply a great conditioning lip balm. Check out my current favorites from yesterday to see which one I love! I always apply this before I start any makeup so that by the time I get to my lips, everything is absorbed and nourished.

First off we have lip gloss. I really like the Revlon ColorBurst Lipglosses to achieve this look because they give great pigmentation. They're a great transition product if you're not used to bold colors on your lips. 

If you don't want to full on commit to lipstick, I highly recommend the Revlon Lip Butters! They come in a huge range of shades and they are great for building intensity. Apply a thin amount for daytime and reapply at night with a few more layers, to achieve a more intense and bold look. They also won't dry your lips out, which is great for winter time! They have a balmy type finish. Two shades I really like are Raspberry Pie and Red Velvet.

Lastly, if you're ready to come over to the dark side, find a great lip liner and lipstick. I'm currently loving NYX lip liners and my Mac Retro Matte Finish lipsticks. Staying power is key when it comes to bold lips because bleeding and fading will be more noticeable, so matte finishes will help with this. However, they also can bring attention to dry or chapped areas, so make sure your lips are moisturizer and exfoliated before applying. Simply line your lips and fill them in with lip liner. Then apply your lipstick. Make sure to take your time with this so your lines are even and don't look messy. 

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As with any new makeup that you try on yourself, bold lips can be intimidating at first. Just because it may seem a little shocking when you look in a mirror the first time, doesn't mean it doesn't look good! Plus, if you love it who cares what anyone else thinks! Be brave and bold and have fun rocking a new look! 

Have a bold and beautiful day (no pun intended), 

Dre