LIP THERAPY

The Arizona desert is bone dry, and my lips have been looking and feeling just like the desert. I don't even dare put on dark lipstick because the color just ends up looking flakey and cracked. Have you experienced that? Vaseline is a brand I have trusted for years to heal the skin of my babies, and now they have created these pocket size Lip Therapy tins that are perfect for sticking in your handbag, diaper bag or pocket for relief on the go.

What I especially love about Vaseline Lip Therapy is that they offer aloe and cocoa butter formulas for additional healing properties to really moisturize your lips. Every morning I wake up and apply the cocoa butter formula and then I apply my favorite berry colored lipstick. It gives my lipstick a glossy appearance without the gummy, sticky texture that can come with other lip glosses. They only cost $3.99 at your local Target. That's beauty at bargain prices. You really can't beat that and your lips will thank you.

This post is in partnership with Vaseline Lip Therapy.

Makeup Tips from a Pro

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Tina Burnham and I met through the brilliant world of blogging. After finally meeting face to face one afternoon in Starbucks, we realized we should have met each other a lot sooner because we had been going to the same church for a long time. haha.

Since our first meeting, Tina and I have collaborated on several projects. Some shoots where she has been the hairstylist, some where she has been the photographer and some where she has been the makeup artist. Tina is SOOOO talented (obviously), and today she is sharing some makeup tips and her favorite products with all of you.

1. What is your favorite overall makeup brand and why?

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Well, I am a little biased because I have a Pro Account, but I am a M.A.C girl. Even without my pro perks, it is mid-price range and affordable.  I love how vibrant their shadows and pigments are, and the wear longevity of them. So many fun colors in mattes and shimmers. I used to be a Lancome girl because my mom was, and I am still a die hard Definicils girl when I am not wearing my falsies! Yes, I wear fake lashes and I LOVE it :).

2. Right now, what lip product do you use the most often - lipstick, lip stain, lip gloss, lip pencil or Chapstick?

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For everyday natural day look I use M.A.C tinted spf lip conditioner. I used to use the clear lipglass, but it can get sticky and my hair would always get caught in it! I still use lipglass to finish off a lip application. Just a dab in the center of the lips, not to the outer edges, gives the lips a pouty look.

3. What is the biggest mistake people make with their makeup?

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Hmmm.  I don't know about mistakes, but there are lots of tips to applying. Probably the one I would say is a "mistake" is what I call the clown brow. And I have to be honest and say I have done the clown brow back in the day!!!

Many women use a lighter shimmery color or even white shadow right under their brows to highlight them. When you look in the mirror it looks great! Now go take a picture......with a flash.  You look like a clown!!!  When picking a color to highlight use an irradescent shadow, that is subtle however catches light.....NOT shimmer shadows or matte white shadows!  My favorite is M.A.C vanilla pigment.  A MUST in your makeup bag! I can not live with out it! It is the perfect highlighter. Dust it along under your browline or dab your inner eyes and it highlights them perfectly. I often dust some down the bridge of my nose and add some contouring on the sides with some shadow and I just gave my self a "nose" job :).

4. What is the one thing you NEVER miss in your makeup routine?

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Probably darkening my brows. I use M.A.C. firm angle brush and some brown shadow to gently fill and line my brows.  I like to use shadow versus a pencil because it is much softer and more natural.  Brows are one thing many people do not realize can really make or break a face. A well shaped manicured brow can open up the face and draw attention to the eyes. If I am doing a au naturel look, I would maybe do a little powder and line my brows!

5. What's your favorite makeup look right now?

Well since we are entering into fall I am inspired by the two looks I recently did for two photo shoots that we worked on! One being the Marie Antionette inspired very classic look focusing on a bright lip. On the shoot since it was for bridal I chose Coral. However for fall I often go RED! Sometimes with bright lips, when applied they look great but within half hour it doesn't look quite right and you can reapply and still doesn't look like when you first applied it. But M.A.C. Pro Long wearing no smudge lip color is my fave. One side is the lipstain, the other is the gloss. I have tried other "smudge" proof and not a fan. This one really doesn't come off, and you don't need to reapply the color only the the gloss. However,  I don't line my lips when using this product because the oils react a little different than the lip color since it is long-wearing formula.  My favorite, Lasting Lust Red! I would also like to trya dark plum lip too for fall :).

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The other look that I did  was just a very natural pinky "cold" cheeks and lips with a neutral eye or light eye. Many women do the smokey eye with various color combos. Instead with this look you would use lighter colors, which will brighten and open up the eyes giving a softer look. Light foundation, pink blush and maybe an overall dust of shimmer. A very dewey, fresh and clean feel.

Red Lips Question

So, red lips always seem to become popular when fall roles around. This year dark, rich reds and maroons are very prominent. Here's the thing though, I've heard it said by a couple of guys that they don't like red lipstick on girls. Is this true? Why?I don't know if the answers will stop me from wearing red lipstick because I love it, but I'm definitely curious of the answers!