new season, new lips

I was sweet on sheer lipsticks for the past year, but lately I've been back on colored glosses and matte lipsticks. I guess you can call it spring fever because I feel renewed and ready to come out from the winter funk with some new fun colors.  I'm like, hello world I'm ready to feel pretty again!

I recently picked up two glosses from Revlon, one in Strawberry (a bright pink with just a hint of sparkle), the other in Coral Reef (a peachy-coral that I think would look great on girls with warm undertones). Then I splurged a little for Mac's cult hit, Russian Red. It's a classic red matte that I think would contrast perfectly with a little black eyeliner, a plain tee and jeans. It applies impossibly smooth and looks like velvet on lips. I can't wait to wear it.

What colors are you into this season? Trying anything new?

in need of a haircut

I need a haircut. It's passed the point of intolerable. The ends are split, my bangs have grown out and my hair is generally shapeless.

But I loathe going to the salon. I really do. Having to just sit there, while the stylist is snip snip snipping my hair and forcing me into small talk ("Where do you work?", "Do you like it?", "How long have you been working there?"). I've never been the type of person that goes into a salon, says hello to everybody and chats up the stylist with guy troubles and beauty tips. No, I'm more of a get-in-get-out kinda' girl. I just want to tell you what I want, get my hair cut in non-awkward silence, pay and leave. Frankly, I find small talk to be draining. I tend to leave the salon feeling awfully tired when I give in to it. And not only that, but getting my hair cut reminds me of being at the dentist ("Put your head this way", "Tilt that way"). It's kind of a drag.

Depending on who I've told this to, I've gotten a range of reactions from "Really? You're so weird" to "I know exactly what you mean!" to "Sometimes, you just need to relax and stop being so neurotic".

diy brown sugar lip scrub (or the softest lips imaginable)

‘Tis the season for dry, chapped lips. At least, for me. 

Every year, around the same time my lips start to feel super rough and flaky (attractive, I know).  Lipstick just doesn’t glide on as evenly and smoothly as it used to…and it tends to look that way too.

But for years now, I’ve had a tried and true formula for sloughing away the dead, peeling skin as gently and effectively as possible: a simple mixture of brown sugar and olive oil. It’s a natural and cheap alternative to the fancy-schmancy lip scrubs you’ll find at Sephora for $25. I could never bring myself to buy any lip scrub for that price, no matter how tempting they seemed.

You will need:
1 part brown sugar (the gentle exfoliant)
1 part olive oil (a natural moisturizer)
Soft cloth


For a one-time use, combine a drop or two of olive oil with an equal amount of brown sugar. 
Massage mixture gently on lips using small, circular motions. 
*Remove with a soft cloth.  
Apply balm on lips to seal in moisture.
Repeat about once every week, every two weeks or as needed.

I’d highly recommend this to those who like to rock bold red lips. Red tends to accentuate even the tiniest imperfections, so smooth and moisturized lips are a must.  I’d dare say my lips looked straight out of this Givenchy ad when I put on my favorite red lipstick after a good scrub-down.

Holiday parties, I’m ready for you!

Don’t have these ingredients? Try substituting brown sugar with white sugar or replace the olive oil with petroleum jelly.

-jillian m.

* Try not to lick it off. Olive oil + brown sugar is surprisingly delicious.

autumn brights

I'm forgetting all I know about typical dark and vampy fall polish. These days, I'm keeping my nails coated in candy-colored brights. My fingers are doing a little happy dance because of it. And it helps offset my Wednesday Addams-esque wardrobe as of late.

What colors are you into this season?

-jillian m.

beauty lessons learned

• Concealer over dry, flaky skin = scary
• Too much purple under the eyes - also very scary.
• Invest in good quality makeup brushes.
• De-tangle gently from the ends up with a wide-toothed comb.
• There is no need to keep reapplying perfume throughout the day. Just because you can't smell it anymore, doesn't mean others can't.
• Making out with your boyfriend while wearing red lipstick is a very very bad idea. Worse if you don't catch the smudges until the pictures are up on Facebook the next day.
• Streamline your skin care routine. Too many products result in more breakouts and irritation.
• Tell the hair stylist exactly what you want. Bring a picture to demonstrate.
• Body glitter is best left for ravers, beauty pageants, cheerleaders and the '90s.

What lessons have you learned?

-jillian m.

what's your go-to summer look?

I've already started noticing that I have a pattern.  A makeup pattern, that is.  But instead of calling it a rut, I'm calling it my go-to summer daytime look!  As much as I love experimenting with colorful eye shadows and lipsticks, this is the look that I'm constantly coming back to because it's natural, soft, easy and it takes all of 1 minute to do.

Mac Powder Blush in Peaches

True story: a co-worker actually told me I had an "exquisite natural glow" about me.  I didn't have the heart to tell her it was this blush! Haha.

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Coral Shimmer

A sheer coral that can be applied without a mirror.  One tip I have about shopping for Rimmel products: there is almost always a coupon for $1 or $2 off, so be sure to check out your weekly coupon inserts or The Krazy Coupon Lady for some savings.

Maybelline Full 'n Soft Mascara

Long, thick lashes are a must all year-round.

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

When dewy becomes too dewy.

Tell me, what comprises of your go-to look for this summer?  Or are you going au naturel?

-jillian m.

soft & pretty feet for the summer

Summer = sandals.  Sandals = everyone gets to see what horrible shape your feet have been in all winter.

So I've created a step-by-step tutorial to help you beautify your feet and get them into tip-top shape for the summer.  It's quicker and less expensive than getting a professional to do it--both pluses in my book!

1. Remove all traces of old nail polish with non-acetone remover.

2. Cut and file nails.  I like to do this first because it's easier to clip and file the nails while they are still dry.

3. Place your feet in a tub of very warm water (adding in Epsom salts or essential oils are optional).  Soak for about 5-10 minutes.  This step is very important, as it allows for the dead skin to come off more easily. After the soak, gently push back cuticles with a cotton swab.

4. Apply an exfoliating foot scrub and rub vigorously all over (I used this apricot scrub.  It's made for the face, but I also use it for my elbows, knees, back and feet).  Take a pumice stone and buff away.   Concentrate on rough areas like the heel and the side of the big toe. 

5. Scrub the entire foot with a soft brush to slough away the leftover dead skin.  Rinse off.

6. Pat-dry with a towel.  Apply a cream, like cocoa butter, and massage into feet.  The richer the cream, the better.  When done, wipe the excess cream off your toenails with a towel.  The nails need to be dry when the polish is applied or it may not evenly distribute.

7.  Apply a clear base coat to prevent staining and to help the color last longer.  Feel free to put cotton balls or toe separators between your toes, if necessary.

8. Choose a fun color for toes and apply 2 coats.  Once you've completed the color, take a cotton swab and dip in nail polish remover.  Carefully remove all traces of polish on the skin.

10. Apply clear topcoat to prevent the color from chipping.  Sometimes, I skip this step if I'm under a time constraint.  Or if I'm lazy (which is usually the case).

11.  Once dry, slip on your sandals and pose!

*Bonus tips:

• If your hand isn't very steady, go for a nude, sheer or shimmery color.  The "coloring outside the lines" is less visible.

• Avoid using a razor to cut off calluses.

• For a super express pedicure: skip the 10 minute soak; apply a sheer nude color so that you can spend minimal time and effort fixing mistakes.

• If all else fails, just slip on some closed-toe flats!

-jillian m.

rose petal tea + rose facial steam

I was staring at the small bouquet of red roses on my desk, when a thought popped into my head: I should cook with these!  So I picked a petal and ate it.  Okay, not bad.  I could do something with this.  By the way, Bob thought I was absolutely nuts for doing this, but the way I see it, if I'm going to cook with it, I need to taste-test it, right?  Who's with me?!

Not surprisingly, there weren't a ton of rose recipes out there.  But I did manage to find one for rose petal tea.  Doesn't that sound delightful?  Rose petal tea!

Rose petal tea (based on The Joy of Soup)
1-1/2 cups of rose petals
2-3 cups of water
Sugar or honey, to taste

Rinse rose petals.
Place petals in saucer, cover with water and boil for 5 minutes.
Strain and serve into cups/mugs.
Add sugar or honey, to taste.

Almost immediately after the water started to steam, the petals started to lose their color and dye the water with this lovely rich pink.  It was so pretty.

But pretty is where it stops because the taste was...not for me.  It wasn't terrible...ok, it was terrible.  It didn't even seem edible (or drinkable, in this case).

But when you have lemons, make lemonade, right?

The tea wasn't great, but as a relaxing steam for my face, it worked beautifully!

Rose petal facial steam
Handful (or more) of rose petals
2-4 cups of water
Facial mask of your choice

Heat water until boiling point.  Immediately remove.
Add petals and let sit for about 7-10 minutes.
Drape a towel over your head and hang your head over steam for about 5 minutes (not too close).
Pat face dry.  Apply mask.
Rinse or wash off after 10 minutes (or until mask is fully dry).

Although I've read that roses have astringent properties, I can't really say for sure if they had any effect on my complexion.  But it did make me feel like I was at a luxurious spa.  And the Queen Helene Mint Julep mask that I applied afterward always leaves me with clearer, smoother and a more even skin tone (did that sound like a skin commercial or what?).  So in the end, I win.  And so does my skin.


-jillian m.

bargain hunter: diy makeup remover

anyone that wears eye makeup knows how hard it is to remove (especially mascara). i used to be the wash-and-go girl, but i've since started using drugstore makeup remover because all that vigorous rubbing isn't good for the sensitive eye area.

but i went through bottles like a maniac and that added up!  so i've been relying on some random multi-purpose household items to get the job done.  and, believe it or not, they actually work and i've come to find through much research that they're completely safe.

1. petroleum jelly (non-medicated). 

2. extra virgin olive oil + canola oil. combine equal parts of each in an empty bottle.  if no canola oil, using just olive oil is acceptable, too.

3. water, baby shampoo and baby oil. i use a little over a quarter of water, then the rest is equal parts shampoo and oil (in a clean, unused bottle).  there's no exact science so you can play around with the measurements.  if no shampoo, then mixing the water and oil is fine, too.  and always be sure to shake before use.

important note: i've tried all of the above solutions and each works effectively and gently.  with that being said, you should always spot test on an area of skin before you use any of these on your eyes.

my take: out of these 3, i prefer to use the last one because it doesn't leave behind a film.  also, i figure if it's safe and gentle enough to use on babies, then it's safe and gentle enough for me!  in a pinch, i'll use the olive oil on its own - it removes makeup very easily.


for some more diy solutions check out:
-makeup artist kandee johnson's tutorial combining olive oil and witch hazel.
-traclyn's non-comodegenic formula using aloe vera gel and petroleum jelly.

-jillian m.

my spring wishlist

spring is lurking around the corner.  and with the change in weather comes a change in mood.  i'm stripping my layers, doing some spring cleaning and longing for the following trends and goodies:

paris umbrella - for those inevitable april showers.

mac lipstick in so chaud - 

colorful matte lips is one makeup trend i'm dying to try.  so youthful and fresh!

elizabeth and james black blazer - 

for those "in-between" days.  

opi nail polish in need sunglasses - 

out with the greige, in with the brights.

  j. crew cece cracked metallic ballet flats - 

classic, comfy ballets for work and weekends.

a bouquet of flowers - 

just 'cause...

what's on your wishlist this season?

-jillian m.


p.s. happy st. patty's day!

a quick fix for a crushed/broken powder eyeshadow

one of my favorite eyeshadows fell to the floor, leaving me with a broken, powdery mess.

other people in my shoes may have tossed it or even kept it in its new fractured form.  but i can't bear to trash a perfectly good eyeshadow, nor can i deal with the loose powder--it's just too messy.

so i salvaged the remainder of it using this tried and true technique:

1. break down the eyeshadow even more into tiny, fine pieces with a clean spoon.
2. using an eye-dropper, squirt a few drops of rubbing alcohol into the pan.
3. firmly press the shadow together with the back of the spoon.
4. allow to air-dry.

as shown above, it's not quite as good as new, mostly because i only applied very few drops of alcohol.  i'll probably repeat the steps just to harden up the corners a bit. but it's solid and useable and that's all you really need!  keep this tip in mind the next time your eyeshadow cracks.  it really works!

-jillian m.

p.s. for an alternative fix (and a little more time-consuming) that will get your eyeshadow looking new and smooth, click here.

my beauty wishlist

i've always loved makeup, but i've only recently started to experiment with bolder looks (smoky violet eyes, cherry red lips with a cat eye, etc.).  and so, with the increase of experimentation has come a longing and an excitement to try some new beauty products.  here are a few things i've had my eye on:

kiehl's ultra facial tinted moisturizer, $24.50 - i'm not a foundation wearer (it feels too heavy on the skin), but tinted moisturizer is the next best thing for a more even complexion.  plus, if you're going to do moisturizer, you need to turn to the company that does it best!

skindinavia makeup finishing spray, $29.00- how nice it would be to not have to keep reapplying makeup all night!  just a few spritzes of this after initial application and it's guranteed to last for 16 hours.  does it work?  almost 100% of people that reviewed this product at makeupalley.com would buy it again.  so i say that's a yes.

urban decay 24/7 glide-on eye pencil, $18.00 - an awesome selection of bright colors and glides on like a dream (and it's waterproof!).  great for smudging and dare-to-look-at-me eyes.

too faced naked eye soft & sexy eye shadow collection, $35.00 - i've been coveting this one for ages!  the shadows are extremely versatile so there are a tons of looks to play with.  neutrals to darks are ideal for a day to night look.

bobbi brown pot rouge for lips and cheeks, $24.00 - cream blushes are ideal for dry cheeks and a natural, dewier look.  bobbi brown always gets it right.

as you've probably noticed, all of these are worth a pretty penny, hence the word wish in wishlist.  but i'm willing to consider close substitutes, so if you have any suggestions, please share!  are there any beauty items you've been eyeing lately?

-jillian m.