Happy Halloween! Tips for Drag Makeup

Makeup gurus everywhere have been doing makeup tutorials for Halloween looks for the last month, but I've really been unsure of what type of post I wanted to do for Halloween. After much thought and brainstorming, I decided to do a tips blog on one of my favorite costume-y looks: Drag Queens.

I have a deep respect for the amazing men who do drag, or female impersonation, for a living. Rupaul is a living legend and I think of her as a beauty icon like Marylin Monroe or Sophia Loren. Doing drag is NOT easy and requires a lot of time and patience, even if you're only doing it for one night (i.e. Halloween).

So, gentleman, whip out a pen and get ready to take notes. You've got a lot to learn...

1) Get the closest shave possible. You need to get rid of as much facial hair as possible. I would strongly recommend using a brand new razor and a rich, moisturizing shaving cream to make facial hair disappear. Razor burn is not cute, so make sure you do this very carefully! If you're feeling brave, you can always shave or wax your eyebrows as well (either completely off or make them thinner and more shapely). Reducing your eyebrows will make makeup application much easier later on.

2) Make sure your complexion is flawless. You need to cover any imperfections and have a very even-coverage foundation for your face. If you left your eyebrows intact, check out youtube for some direction on how to cover them up (I'd recommend Youtube Guru and professional makeup artist Kandeejohnson) and then redraw them on.

3) Do not, do not, DO NOT use regular drugstore makeup unless you are going for the manly-woman appearance. If you want to truly look like a woman for the night, you're going to need more dramatic makeup. I'd recommend NYX as an affordable alternative, but more expensive brands like MAC, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC), Urban Decay, and Nars are also good choices.

4) Do NOT have a girl help you with makeup unless she's A) a makeup artist or B) has experience with dramatic, theatrical makeup. A lot of girls and women know how to do natural makeup. That's not what you want. You're going to want heavier makeup with a glitzy, highly pigmented look. Yes, it's going to look a bit streaky! But drag means magnifying every aspect of a woman's appearance and drawing it on a man. It's meant to look a bit outrageous.

5) Think about how lighting hits a woman's face. I'd recommend looking at pictures of Beyonce, Angelina Jolie, or Megan Fox to figure out how to add highlighting. Take a blush brush with a light-colored shimmery powder or cream and lightly dust it onto upper cheek bones, down the nose, and center of the chin. This is going to make your face look dewy and young.

6) Learn how to apply and wear fake lashes. Once again, check Youtube videos by guru JuicyStar07 for fantastic directions and recommendations on false lash brands. False lashes will also make you look more feminine and soft.

7) Contour the face! Get a matte bronzer and sculpt your face by adding simple lines to the face that emphasize high cheek bones and slim your face down.

8) Pay super-close attention to your lips! I would recommend lining your lips with a color two to three shades darker than the lipstick you plan to use. Line just outside your natural lip line to make your lips fuller and plumper looking. Try to draw the line as smoothly as possible, but don't panic if your hand slips or you mess up.. you can always take a q-tip with some makeup remover on it and swipe it over the boo-boo. Pay close attention to your cupid's bow, or the indentation at the peak of your top lip. You want this to highlighted, but don't make it too pointy. After you line your lips, gently apply lipstick and stay INSIDE the lines you just drew. Then, blot your lips and reapply again. This will keep your lipstick in place for longer and look neater. Lastly, add a small amount of gloss to your bottom lip (it can be colorless or match the shade of your lips, glossy or shimmery. Your choice!) and you're good to go.

Of course, this is just an abbreviated list of what you really need to do for drag makeup. Drag queens spend several hours getting ready and look absolutely fabulous when they're done. This post was just a quick list of things that often get overlooked by amateur queens and can easily be fixed.

Review: Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Line

Aromatherapy products never really caught my eye before because I felt like they would either A) not work or B) give me a headache. However, BBW's aromatherapy line has been an enormous success in my opinion and is definitely worth trying out depending on what your needs are.

L to R: Sleep (Lavender Chamomile), Stress Relief (Eucalyptus Spearmint), Energy (Orange Ginger), Sensual (Jasmine Vanilla). Each of these travel bottles of body lotion sells for $5.00 or 3 for $10.00.

Sleep (Lavender Chamomile): If I have a lot on my mind or a big day ahead of me, this lotion is what I reach for after getting out of the shower at night. It smells sweet, but earthy and natural at the same time and helps me sink into the perfect deep sleep. In the morning, I feel relaxed, well-rested, and ready to take on the day.

Stress Relief (Eucalyptus Spearmint): I don't get stressed very often, but my boyfriend does. Recently, he's been turning to this scent to help sooth his nerves and he says it really works! I've noticed I've used it myself during finals week and I think it helps me keep a level head and not panic about my exams. This has a fresh, lemon-mint scent that instantly clears the mind and makes you think warm, happy thoughts. I'd strongly recommend it, if only for occasional uses (i.e. exam time).

Energy (Orange Ginger): Love, love, LOVE this scent! A quick dab of it on your chest, wrists, and temples and you're ready to hit the ground running! It has a very clear citrus scent with a spicy twist, making it perfect for early mornings or late nights (the after-afterparty? Psh! With this, you'll be able to make it till the next night, no problem). I honestly like this a lot more than any of those chemical-filled energy drinks on the market because you're not putting dangerous amounts of caffeine into your body. Instead, this simple body lotion gives off enough of a zing to keep you awake and alert.

Sensual (Jasmine Vanilla): Honestly, the first time I smelled this scent, I wasn't a fan. It came off as too musky to me and not sweet enough for a girl like me to use. However, after a few uses, I can honestly say that this is one of the sexiest scents I've ever tried! It's woodsy and earthy smelling, but when rubbed into the skin, it definitely evolves into a rich, naturally sweet scent. Try it out! You and your special someone will not be disappointed!

I chose to buy each of these scents in the travel body lotions at the summer sale just so I could test them all out. However, BBW offers each one in shower gels, body mists, sugar scrubs, massage oils, and even pillow mists (for the Sleep scent). Prices range from $5.00 for the travel bottles to $19.50 for a 14.5 oz candle. I find that the best way to use these scents is by applying a small amount to the upper arms, chest, neck, and temples so that the scent isn't overpowering, but definitely apparent to you. The Sensual lotion and Stress Relief lotion double nicely as massage lotions, as well.

Review: Pure Ice Nail Polish

For the past few months, I've really been trying to break my habit of biting my nails because it's not sanitary, not pretty, and not healthy (duh!). I've found that the best way for me to break this habit is by constantly painting my nails and making sure they always look pretty and polished. So, to make a long story short, I've been stocking up on tons of nail polishes so I can switch up my nails as much as I want.

Last week, I found Pure Ice Nail Polishes at my local Walmart. These little babies are only $2.00 a bottle and are so far pretty impressive. They come in a wide variety of colors (my store carried about 40 different shades, finishes, and colors of Pure Ice), but I chose to get some more Halloween/Fall inspired shades that could potentially work for other times in the year.

From L to R: Electric!, Wild Thing, and Naughty Girl

The first polish I tried from the line was Wild Thing, a fabulous lime green polish. It has a regular finish, which means it's just glossy. I think it's fun and different and would work excellently for anyone going as a zombie for Halloween. However, I also think it would look sweet and tropical in the summer time.

Then, I moved onto Naughty Girl, which is a metallic tangerine color. I really loved this one because it looks somewhat neutral on the nail but definitely makes people do a double take. Because it's orange, it's definitely appropriate for fall, but I think it could really be worn at any time since it's so neutral.

Currently, I have Electric! on my nails. This solid black polish has tiny flecks of silver glitter in it which add some dimension to the nail and keep it from looking flat like many black polishes do. I definitely find it appropriate for Halloween (which is on Sunday. Get excited!), but I think you could also wear it for New Years Eve because of the crazy silver glitter in it.

A quick shot of all three polishes so you can see what they look like on the nail!

I've found that this polish lasts a pretty long time without chipping (about 4-5 days) and only requires two coats. However, drying time is a bit long for me: about 4-5 minutes. Still, for the color payoff and low price, I think Pure Ice Nail Polish is worth it. Check it out the next time you're in Walmart!

My Top 5 Bath and Body Works Scents

I admit it: I am not-too-secretly addicted to Bath and Body Works. I mean, how can I resist it?! No matter what mall I'm in, its cheery window displays, constant sales, and high quality products constantly draw me in. It doesn't matter that I already have a HUGE amount of shower gels, body lotions, antibacterial gels, or hand soap sitting in a ginormous Bath and Body Works (BBW) bag at home. Even if I was swimming in Bath and Body Works products at home, I still don't think I'd be able to resist 'just popping in'.

So, obviously, over the years as a BBW addict, I've tried out practically every scent they've ever added to their Signature Collection line. This line is carried all year round, regardless of the season or holidays, and each scent definitely has unique characteristics that make it stand out. Most of the collection starts at $5.00 for a travel-sized bottle of lotion, body spray, or shower gel and runs up to $29.50 for an Eau de Toilette. However, the regular sized bottles of lotion and shower gel (8 fl oz) are only $10.50 each and BBW regularly runs a Buy 2, Get 1 Free/Buy 3, Get 2 Free offer as well as a Mix and Match:3 for $10 offer on travel-sized products. All great deals, if you ask me :-)

But I've definitely picked out my favorite scents from the line. And while I enjoy almost all of them at some point, these five are -- in my humble opinion -- the very best that BBW has to offer.

From L to R: Orange Sapphire, Sweet Pea, Twilight Woods, Midnight Pomegranate, Dark Kiss
And, yes, I finally learned how to flip pictures. Yayy!

1) Orange Sapphire: A very energizing scent! It says "Wake up! Time to take on the world today!!" I love to use it after an all-nighter or intense study session because it's a refreshing citrus with a bit of spice to it, so it makes you feel pumped. I find it to be pretty unisex, meaning it isn't too sweet nor too musky: just the perfect, natural balance appropriate for men and women to use.

2) Sweet Pea: Sweet, floral scent. Very innocent and clean, though, which I love because too often I find that floral scents smell heavy and too rose-y. This scent is soft and subtle and doesn't seem to hang on your skin, but instead floats about you like a pretty pink, girly cloud. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this to men, but I think they'd find it appealing on their girlfriend or wife.


3) Twilight Woods: My all-time FAVORITE scent ever to be produced at BBW (and it has nothing to do with the name)! This is a deliciously sugary-spicy scent that makes me think of a girl spritzing on some of her boyfriend's cologne if she was in a hurry to get somewhere. It's a multi-layer scent that develops smoothly on the skin. The most obvious tone to me is amber, which is fabulously sexy, but not too over-the-top. I own almost every product BBW has ever made with this scent: shower gel, body lotion, shimmering body lotion, shower cream, body mist, room spray, and home fragrance oil. And, in case you didn't already know, BBW recently introduced a men's version of this scent, which smells similar to the original, but less sweet and more musky. My boyfriend is a huge fan of it and I think it smells fantastic on him. He knows to expect a big bottle of it for Christmas!


4)Midnight Pomegranate: Another extremely sexy scent. Midnight Pomegranate is fruity (clearly) and spicy with some hints of musk. Although it can seem a bit playful, I really do view this as one of the more mature scents BBW offers and I think it's actually appropriate for older women. I've discovered over the years that this scent in particular remains on the skin for quite some time (in a good way! I hate scents that wear off after two or three hours). I would highly recommend it, particularly for someone who's on the go quite a bit because you won't need to frequently reapply.


5) Dark Kiss: The newest addition to BBW's Signature Collection, this scent is a bit more wintery and makes me think of lavish holiday parties. It has a rich berry overtone with a little bit of sugar and a whole lot of spice. I think it's the perfect moisturizer to use before a winter formal or Christmas party because the rich formula blends so nicely with the rich, sugary scent, creating a Sugarplum Fairy-inspired scent. Add some shimmery powder and you're good to go!

What's your favorite scent from the BBW Signature Collection? Do you have a top 5 like me? If so, post it in the comments!

Can anyone recommend...

A good eyeshadow primer? Like, one that costs less than $10? I've been using mark.'s Please Hold Eyeprimer ($8), but I've noticed that it's been creasing like crazy. Soo.. leave me a comment with your suggestions.

My Top 10 Drugstore Brands

If you follow my blog, you already know that I'm a champion of drugstore makeup and beauty items because they often work just as well as the more expensive brands and cost a heck of a lot less. While it's true that some work better than others, so many of the fantastic drugstore products I've tried have worked miracles and never fail to impress me.

Here, in no particular order are my most highly recommended drugstore makeup, skin, and hair care brands:

1) Rimmel London: I obviously have to mention this brand because their mascara, Sexy Curves, just won my Battle of the Brands: The Search for the Perfect Mascara, but the brand has so much more that I really love. Their lipsticks are smooth, moisturizing, and heavily tinted, allowing for a vibrant, colorful lip. I also like their pencil eyeliner because of it's smooth and creamy formula. Rimmel always has adorable packaging and their makeup is slightly edgy and hip. I would recommend it for the 20-30 crowd, but anyone with the right attitude can make it work. Rimmel's prices are pretty low on average.

2)Maybelline: Maybe it's because they've been around forever, or maybe it's because they just have really nice products, but Maybelline is another fantastic drugstore brand. Their Falsies Mascara came in second place in my Battle of the Brands, but I'm a huge fan of their eyeshadow quads. These fantastic little palettes have four highly pigmented eyeshadows that go together to create the perfect eye look. I really enjoy the eyeshadows on their own or together because they're high quality and don't crease easily, which means your look can last all day. Maybelline is also low priced -- although, sometimes it's a bit more expensive than Rimmel -- and has pretty bland packaging, but I feel that the high quality of their eyeshadows more than makes up for it.

3) Revlon: They make my favorite foundation. Period. Without their stellar foundation formula, I don't think my makeup would look quite as good on a day-to-day basis. It's a bit on the pricey side as far as drugstore makeup is concerned, but I think it's truly a great product and worth every single penny.

4) John Frieda Collection: This is by far one of the best hair care lines I've found in any drugstore or Walmart. I feel that it's quite trustworthy because it has the name of one of the most successful salon owners in the world behind it and has always helped my hair, whether for frizz control or color shielding. Currently, I'm in love with the Lustrous Blonde line of this collection. The shampoo and conditioner leave my color-treated hair feeling soft, strong, and manageable. I don't feel that it weighs down my hair nor does it dry it out. The price point can get expensive, so I would recommend shopping around at different stores before buying (i.e. price compare Walmart and Walgreens online before buying as they might be running different ads and specials).

5) Neutrogena: I've always been and always will be a Neutrogena girl. The brand makes the perfect skin care regiment for people with skin like mine: normal to dry with little acne, some rough patches, and minor discoloration. They have products targeted at teens, but recently introduced a more mature, adult skin care line (review, anyone?). Their scents are clean and light, easily usable by men and women, and their formulas leave my skin soft and glowing.

6) Aussie: When it comes to deep conditioners and hair masks, Aussie's got it down pat. I'm a big fan of their products because they're made mostly of natural ingredients, which means there's less of a chance of my hair suffering damage. The products are very affordable and smell delicious!

7) Sonia Kashuk: Though it is only available at Target, Sonia Kashuk is a fantastic cosmetic line that has high-quality makeup at a mid-level, affordable price. The gel eyeliner from this line is a standout product that I could not live without!

8) New York Color (NYC): When it comes to nail polish, nobody does it better than NYC. They have a HUGE variety of nail polish that is extremely affordable and comes in beautiful shades and colors. No matter what people try to tell you, NYC is definitely on the same quality level as OPI and China Glaze (all nail polishes chip eventually, no matter how much you pay for them). NYC is constantly coming out with new colors, so go check them out!

9) Physician's Formula: Kind of like the Clinique of drugstore brands, Physicians Formula makes tons of great products for people with sensitive skin. I love their baked eyeshadows and have heard wonderful things about their recently released custom eye enhancing line. It's moderately priced for a drugstore brand, but really works well and is bland enough for sensitive skin.

10) Evolution of Smooth (EOS): I've already told you that I LOVE their lip balm, but their shaving cream is just as nice: extremely silky and moisturizing and smells fantastic. I wish they were carried more widely, but they're products are always available at CVS and Target. They can be a bit pricey for a drugstore brand, but it's totally worth it.

What are your favorite drugstore brands?

Get the Look: Earthy Eyes

Recently, I've really been digging blue and green eyeshadows. I think it perfectly compliments my skin tone (olive-beige) and blonde hair. At the same time, you can easily adjust the pigmentation to better match your own skin tone/hair color.

Eyes: Pack a light or lime green eyeshadow like mark.'s I-mark in Dragonfly ($5.00) all over the lid, up to the crease, using small patting motions to reduce fall-out (loose eyeshadow bits that fall onto your upper cheek bones and smudge terribly). Then, with a stiff dome brush, apply a darker, foresty green eyeshadow like mark.'s I-mark in Retro Peacock ($5.00) in a soft v-shape in the outer corner. Blend the area where the two meet with a softer, feathery brush to reduce harshness. Line the upper lids with your favorite black eyeliner as tightly as possible. You want the green to stand out most! Then, curl your lashes and apply a fun, night-out mascara like Maybelline's The Falsies Mascara ($6.99) for thick, dramatic lashes.

Face: Conceal any imperfections, especially dark under eye circles that will distract attention from your gorgeous eyes and can make your skin look hallow. You can use a bronzer to lightly contour your face, but don't do anything too drastic. Gently blend a pinky-peach blush into your cheekbones like mark.'s Good Glowing Blush in After Glo ($7.00).

Lips: Go for a soft, neutral pink gloss like mark.'s Lots of Lacquer in Rush. Wipe away any gloss that strays from your natural lip line and your look is complete!