Perfect Drug Store Nude Lip + Giveaway!

If there is one thing that never goes out of style it's a nude lip. Its the perfect addition to any eye makeup and can be worn to any occasion. The hard part is finding the products that create a color that works for you and your skin tone. I found two drug store products, both by Revlon that create lovely nude lip. Its also nice because one of the products is long-wearing, making it suitable for the upcoming warmer weather. The products are Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Peach Petal and Revlon Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Private Viewing. When you put on the lipstick, it goes on smoothly and then dries to a sticky finish. This is kind of annoying but it makes the color last forever, and the stickiness can be taken away by wearing a gloss or lip balm over top. The gloss is your classic nude, and has a nice semi-opaque color that goes well with the lipstick. I think this combination of products would work on most people, and I would recommend giving them a try- just keep the receipt so you can exchange if needed :-). Orrrr instead of buying them you can enter my giveaway and I can send them to you FREE! All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me a post you would like to see. This can be a makeup look, a review, an informational post, whatever! I really want to know what my readers want to see and read about! You can leave as many comments as you'd like to up your chances of winning. You will win a brand new Revlon lip gloss in Peach Petal and Revlon Ultimate Suede lipstick in Private Viewing. The giveaway is limited to the United States!

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Pocket Full of Sunshine Makeup

This has to be one of my most favorite makeup looks to date! I didn't exactly know what I was going to do going into it, I just had a vision of super bronzed glowy skin and bright eyes, and I have to say I am so happy with the result! I hope you agree! To see how to do it just keep on reading :-)

To get a nice, bronzed base I buffed Jouer Sheer Bronzing Tint into my skin using

the Real Techniques Buffing Brush. Buff, buff, buff until the product is seamless. The

last thing you want is a streak of brown across your face.

To get the smooth, glowing finish I wanted, I applied my Almay Wake Up foundation

in a color that is much too deep for me right now. This foundation has just the right amount of 

shimmer to give the skin a healthy look without too much shine.

To start on the eyes, apply a super shimmery gold eyeshadow to the entire lid and all

along the lower lashline, including the tear duct.

Next, apply a matte bronzer through the entire crease. Use a windshield wiper

motion to blend it directly above the gold color.

To make it super smoky, apply a darker brown/bronze shade over the bronzer

you applied and heavily in towards the nose. Take this color all the way into the inner corner

of the upper lid. Also place a small amount underneath the gold on the lower lashline.

OMG this color and product is so unbelievable. It glides on like a dream and the color

is literally to die for. It is the MAC Chromagraphic eye pencil in hi-def cyan- obsessed.

Anyways, apply a thin line along the upper lashline and along the lower waterline.

For that added shine, place your brightest yellow-gold eyeshadow on the center

of the eyelid. Here I used a MAC pressed pigment in Flicker and applied it wet for added effect.

I went for a natural coat of mascara on the upper and lower lashes.

Another amazing color for Spring is this NARS lipstick.

Apply a nudey-pink, matte shade to your lips and a bright pink, shimmery

blush.

What I Used

My May Birchbox!

This May has been just beautiful so far, at least on the East coast. We have had tons of sunshine and perfect temperature! Usually May is that long month before school ends, but the nice weather sure makes it more tolerable. Check out what I got from Birchbox this month!

I love the color of this blush, but it is PACKED with shimmer, so it won't be for everyone!

I love the fact that this product claims to brighten and exfoliate the skin. I would be

hesitant to try it because of my sensitive skin, but this seems especially made for it! 

I am realizing more and more how important sunblock is to the preservation of young-looking

skin. I love the soothing quality of this sunblock and it is very light, not thick, which probably makes it easier to wear underneath makeup. It also has a fruity smell, which is nice for people who hate the smell of sunblock!

This perfume is o.k. It smells kind of like your average perfume to me, nothing special

or catching. It's a pleasant smell that reminds me a lot of Ralph Lauren perfume. 

We get these "lifestyle extras" frequently in Birchboxes. I try them out about 1% of the time

haha! This is actually something I plan on trying though. I'm not a huge tea drinker, but the fact that it has caffeine is attractive to me- and the fact that it has anti-oxidants is great too! Although I cannot relate to you at all because I LOVE coffee, I think this tea is a perfect option for people who don't like coffee but want to wake up a bit!

What was in your May box? Xo

I also have a HUGE favor to ask my readers! Can you check out THIS WEBSITE and "like" my video submission? Its the last video on page 4. There are two of my videos, but like the 2nd one-it's better quality

:-). Thank you!!!

Fun and Fresh Prom Makeup!

My last prom makeup tutorial was sweet, simple and just about anyone would feel comfortable wearing it. This one has a little bit more color and drama, but I think it is still very wearable for a fun occasion like prom! Follow these easy steps and look great at your special event!

Start off by using a brightening concealer or highlighting pen to add light to these

points on your face. This will ensure that you look fresh, bright, and glowing in your pictures.

To see a complete Kim Kardashian inspired highlight and contour tutorial click here!

Use a damp Beauty Blender sponge to blend your foundation into the concealer. A 

small amount of foundation goes a long way when you use this technique and looks

really natural. Go for a long-wearing foundation like the one I used here-

Revlon Colorstay.

Take a very shimmery eyeshadow in an icy lilac color

and apply it to the inner third of the eyelid and the lower lash-line.

Next, apply a blueish-purple eyeshadow all over the rest of the lid

and over the rest of the lower lash-line. Softly blend the two colors on the lid together.

Here I used Ransom for the Urban Decay palette pictured at the end of this post.

To add dimension and a bit more color, take a medium purple/pink

shade and apply it to the outer portion of the crease of the eye.

Here I used Fishnet from the UD palette.

This is essential for the drama of the eye makeup. Use a black eyeshadow

and an angled eyeliner brush and apply a thick wing to the outer corner. Only take the

black eyeshadow 2/3 of the way along the upper lash-line, do not go over the lilac color,

we want it to stay bright!

No fancy occasion is complete without some false lashes!

These half lashes from MAC are a great option and much easier to apply

than a full set.

Apply a coral blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend back to the hairline. 

If you so choose, apply a taupe blush or bronzer directly under the cheek bones

for contour. Apply highlighter to the tops of the cheek bones for extra glow.

To complement the eyes, apply an understated pink lipstick with a

neutral gloss over top.

And you're done!! Try this easy but gorgeous look for Prom or any other formal coming up!

What I Used

Thanks for stopping by!! XOXO

25 Random Facts About Me!

I have seen a few other bloggers do this recently and I don't do many personalized posts like this-so I thought it would be fun for something different! Plus these details about my life are obviously endlessly interesting to all of you ;-). If you blog, I challenge you to do the same! XO

1. I am a huge softie, especially when it comes to animals! I don't even like to kill ants!

2. I babysit for an 18 month old boy who I adore!

3. My degree is in School Psychology and I am currently finishing a full time internship in a public school, but I would love to pursue freelance makeup in addition

4. My blog makes each day brighter- as corny as it sounds it really keeps me going!

5. My black lab of 10 years had to be put down recently :-(

6. My older, and only sister is a doctor, OB/GYN

7. I currently reside in Boston, MA

8. My favorite weather is 70 degrees and sunny, any warmer is not necessary!

9. I love being by an ocean, but I'd rather swim in a lake

10. My perfect date would take place in a cabin nestled in the mountains with a fire going

11. I absolutely love traveling, but rarely have the time or money to do so

12. My favorite holiday is Christmas, which also happens to be my sister's birthday

13. My dad and I share a birthday

14. I would eat bagels everyday if they weren't bad for you

15. I have been with my boyfriend for almost 8 years- no breaks

16. I grew up in a suburb outside of Syracuse, New York

17. I have a huge sweet tooth and almost always eat dessert

18. I am an eternal optimist, but have always suffered from anxiety

19. People describe me as being bubbly and a good listener

20. When I was growing up, my mom enrolled me in every sport imaginable, from softball to horseback riding

21. I was a dedicated gymnast until I quit in 7th grade

22. I am huge history buff and will willingly watch an informational documentary

23.I can be stubborn and overly sensitive

24. Sleeping in a strange place makes me nervous

25. I am all about girly things like makeup and fashion, but definitely have a tomboy side-I love hiking and other outdoor activities and am never afraid of getting dirty!

And there you go! 25 completely random and useless facts about the face behind Beauty Banter! I would love to hear some random facts about you in the comments section!!

Couch to 5k: Week One Review

I had heard of the Couch to 5k idea before, but a woman I work with recently mentioned it to me and this time I decided to check it out. It is finally nice enough to run outside and it has been the perfect weather for it- not too hot and not too cold! The idea of the Couch to 5k system is that it gradually builds up your running endurance so by the end of the program you can run a 5k, or about 3 miles without breaks. 3 miles may seem like nothing to you runner peeps out there, and it isn't a very long distance. But I haven't ran since before it cooled down this past Fall so I knew I was going to have to build back up. I have been doing the Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 and 30 Day Shred DVDs for a long time now, since last summer, so I wasn't starting as a complete couch potato. However, running is a different kind of skill, I think, and one that does not come easily to me at all. I really feel like some people are born better runners than others, and long-distance running has never been my forte so I though this program might be good for me to try.

The woman I spoke to at work recommended the NHS Couch to 5k program because you can download free podcasts for each week. Just download the podcast app and then search "NHS Couch to 5k." Today I completed the first week of the podcast.

A very pleasant British woman tells you exactly how long to run and how long to walk, which is really convenient. For the first week, you are to complete the first podcast three times. You are to begin with a 5 minute warm up walk and then run for 60 seconds walk for 90 seconds, alternating back and forth until 20 minutes is reached- and then cool down with another 5 minute walk. In between her talking, some nice music plays.

My thoughts:
I will be honest with my thoughts about each week, so when I say something is easy please do not take it as bragging. For reference, I started the program with a running ability of probably around a 9 minute mile. My endurance was already pretty decent because of the Jillian Michaels, but like I said, running is definitely a different and very difficult skill, in my opinion.

I thought the first week was super easy, very little challenge. The running for 60 seconds, walking for 90 seconds allows for long cool-downs between each run so your never really pushing yourself. Keep in mind this is called COUCH to 5k, so it is accounting for people going from zero physical activity. The second run (first week) I took 3 pound weights with me to up the challenge. Our time is precious and I can't afford to be spending 30 minutes doing something that isn't going to produce results! The weights made it harder, but my shoulder muscle cramped up a bit half-way through which was distracting. I also looked like a total goon pumping my weights through the streets. The third run (first week) I ditched the weights but tried to make my 60 second "run times" more like slow sprints. So it became more like a sprint-walk than a jog-walk. I think I probably could skip till maybe the middle of the program, but I really want to see it out start to finish so I can give a thorough review!

Overall, I like how gradual this program seems to build up running endurance, even if it did seem easy this week. I look forward to see how next week is so stay tuned for the next review!

Recent Trends: Would You Wear It?

Every year brings different trends. Some are fantastic and some, well...not so much. Are you the daring type that is willing to try out some of the more funky trends, or do you stick to the trusty traditionals? Personally, I am open to most trends- if you see them enough in the media and just in the general population, somehow they seem to grow on you, I don't know how it happens! I even started to like clogs when they came back into style last year- yikes!! There have been some really interesting styles that have emerged this past year. Some are reminiscent of past eras while others seem to be pretty fresh and new! What do you think of these popular trends? Would you wear it, or better yet, have you worn it?! Which is your favorite? I'd love to know! My favorite is the round sunglasses trend. Could I pull them off? My better senses tell me NO, but they are seriously adorable! Check out the pics below to see our favorite celebs rocking these hit-or-miss styles!

The Wedge Sneaker

The Top Knot

The High-Low (Mullet) Hem

The High-Waisted, Light Denim Shorts

Army Inspired Jackets

The Knuckle Ring

Chunky Chains

The Round Sunglasses