Cleaning Your Beauty Sponges

   

I don't know about you but I personally dread cleaning my makeup brushes, but they are an investment so better take care of them the way I see it. Some people neglect to clean they're beauty sponges but you don't realize how much bacteria these can hold in between washes. I mean I'll be honest it's been like three weeks before today since I had washed my brushes and sponges. So with that being said here is how I get my sponges clean and sanitized. 

Step One: Take you sponge and place in a microwavable safe container or bowl. 

Step Two: Fill your container with water and anti bacterial dish soap and let sponge soak. 

Step Three: Squeeze sponge, I repeat this a few times letting the sponge soak and squeezing it.

Step Four: Rinse out all of the soap.

Step Five: Fill up the container with about an inch or two of water, then place in the microwave for 1:40 on high, this part sanitizes the sponge.

Step Six: CAUTION HOT!!!! After the microwave let sit on the counter for a few minutes to cool off before continuing, once cooled down squeeze the excess water out.

Step Eight: Lay on a flat surface to dry and done!!! As you might be able to see my sponge isn't as stained, but since I hadn't cleaned it in forever it's stained for good but that doesn't matter too much to me.

I don't do this every week, more like every few weeks, but weekly I try to clean it by doing every step up until step 5, I skip those and let the sponge dry. 

I got this specific beauty sponge off of Amazon, I find the egg shape my favorite since you have a flat side which is amazing for foundation and the pointy rounded edge amazing for under the eye, and best part it was only $1.99 plus free shipping so won't break the bank!

Xoxo Liz 

Products With SPF In It To Keep Your Skin Glowing

Growing up as a kid we have all heard the you need to put sunscreen on,  running around on the beach and our parents would call us over to apply more after a certain time.. Let's be honest most of us would be annoyed and not see the point of sunscreen, but now we are older we know the dangers of the sun.

Here are some products with SPF to protect your skin year round, even in the winter your skin is at risk.

After washing your face in the morning I recommend adding sunscreen of at least SPF 15 under your makeup. There are so many to choose from but the Ulta brand is great and only $9.99.

Tartes Amazonian Clay Foundation is  a great choice, with an SPF 15 it also contains Vitamins A & E, keeping it healthy and nourished for up to 12 hours, priced at $39.00.

It Cosmetics CC+ Cream Illumination is a beyond amazing product. First off has SPF 50 you can't beat that for protecting your face, second is has an anti-aging plus hydration serum to keep your skin looking young and nourished, lighter weight which is perfect for summer, priced at $38.00.

  

bareSKIN Pure Brighting Serum Foundation has SPF 20, it also tone corrects while including brighting serum, priced at $29.50 and shipping is free!

L'Oréal True Match Foundation is lightweight yet build able for those hot summer days, will a range of shades to match the undertones in your skin with SPF 17, priced at $9.99 this a must have for the summer.

If you don't have a foundation with SPF in it another good choice is a primer, which will help your makeup stay on longer. Nars Pro-Prime Optimizing Primer is amazing having SPF 15 and is known for evening out skin tone while absorbing into your skin fast. Priced at $35.00.

 

MAC Prep + Prime has all you need to keep those harmful sun rays away. SPF 50 and priced at $31.00.

Naked Skin Beauty Balm is great for when you want some coverage but not too much, as I have said about half these products it feels like. It has SPF 20, comes in one universal shade, but for people with fair skin I wouldn't recommend as someone with very fair skin products that come in one shade usually leave an orange cast on skin. This product in specific helps combat wrinkles, redness, and reduces the size of pores. Priced at $14.00. 

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is a HOLY GRAIL. Let me tell you it comes in 15 different shades so you are more than likely going to find one that matches pretty close to your skin tone. Contains SPF 20, it's going to keep your skin moisturized with Vitamin C and E, and does well with sensitive skin. Bonus two shades come in travel size perfect for throwing in your purse for the beach this summer. Priced at $44.00.

We all use moisturizer in the morning, why not get the most out of it by using one with SPF. Lancôme Bienfait Multi-Vital Moisturizing Cream will you keep you hydrated and protected with SPF 30. Priced at $49.00.

In the summer try to protect your skin as much as you can, and remember just like makeup you want to reapply your sunscreen after getting out of the water even if it says waterproof. I hope you're enjoying your summer!

Xoxo Liz 

Five Red Lipsticks You Need (High End & Drugstore)

Five more days until Valentines Day, say what? Wasn't yesterday New Years Eve? I feel as if Valentines Day is the perfect excuse to pull out that red lipstick, heck you really don't need an excuse for red lipstick but for others who aren't as comfortable wearing it in their every day routine. Since there are five days left I will let you in on five great lipsticks, actually ten, higher end and drugstore ones that are great for your date or night with your friends.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick  

Shade: Poison Apple

 Price: 20.00

Definitely a home run, long lasting as said in the product details and that is not a lie. I have never really been a fan of liquid lipsticks until this product. It's one of those lip products that you don't have to keep checking to make sure it is still on, I can keep going on about how long it last, seriously. Don't believe me go see for yourself! The only thing I would personally recommend is if you have dry lips or flaky stay away from this product. 

Tarte's Tartiest Lip Paint

Shade: Bae-Red

Price: 20.00

As weird as it sounds this product by Tarte has a velvet matte finish, and the product itself feels light weight. As I have heard others complain the one thing that is not so great is the wand/applicator which you can easily buy a cheap lip brush from somewhere like ELF Cosmetics and problem fixed, or if you have any other applicators from old lip products is another option.

Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick

Shade: Pomegranate

Price: 24.00

I swear I have seen Bite Beauty on Hautelook which means you can get it for even cheaper then twenty four dollars. If you aren't a fan of liquid lipsticks this is a dupe for the Tartiest Lip Paint, it is a creme type lipstick as the name hints, I feel as if this is a hydrating formula, and lightweight. Great for summer who likes wearing heavier lip products in the heat, not me. It's not as long lasting but it's one of those you don't mind reapplying in a few hours.

Dolce Matte Red Lipstick

Shade: Lover 624

Price: 37.00

If you want matte and great pigmentation this one is for you. it applies smoothly. They have eight different shades of red so you can have your choice of which red would suite you the best. I love this one because it really is matte and like a classic lipstick. I'm just a huge fan of classic lipsticks and would choose them over lip tints, stains, and liquids every single time, but seeing how most matte products are a liquid lipstick now.

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine

Shade: Rouge In Danger

Price: 36.00

Summer red color again, Rouge In Danger is described as a deep strawberry red. Can you see I am just daydreaming about summer. If you want smoother nourished lips and hydration this one is for you. This line has 18 shades, most of them red based there is one that I can think of that is more of a purple than red. Plus YSL has always had some of my favorite packaging especially lipsticks. 

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter

Shade: Candy Apple

Price: 5.99-7.49

You can find some great lipsticks for half the price at the drugstore, and yes even some of the best red shades are found there. Candy Apple is more of an opaque red but and bright just like a candy apple. Is anyone else thinking about Dance Moms right now? Back to lipsticks if you aren't really a lipstick person I suggest trying this line from Revlon, they are lightweight and buttery feeling so it's not very lipsticky at all.

ELF Moisturizing Lipstick

Shade: Velvet Rope

Price: 3.00

I love ELF, seriously love this makeup brand. You can't really beat their prices and if you are signed up for their emails you will always get deals, right now you can get a free matte lipstick when you checkout. I have a fair number of the moisturizing lipsticks, someone who has dry lips in the winter and living in Maine very dry finger biting cold temperatures. Some of the shades are great not all though. I give the Velvet Rope and the darker colors a thumbs up but the lighter shades I find aren't as well pigmented and don't apply evenly, the red ones are beyond worth it. I would pair this one with a lip liner, at least with this shade if I don't have a liner it bleeds a little bit.

Milani Color Statement Lipstick

Shade: Ruby Valentine

Price: 5.49-5.99

See the color name? Perfect for a Valentine date. Long lasting color that stays in place and highly pigmented. This one is not heavy feeling at all, I feel like very drugstore one I picked isn't very heavy. This line is definitely not a matte finish at all, doesn't say it is, but for a lipstick I find this one shinier then usual. 

L'Oreal Pairs Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Reds

Shade: Zoe's Red

Price:8.09-8.99

I chose Zoe's Red for this list just to add in a darker red for those of you who wanted a darker option. The application goes on evenly and smoothly, its lasting ability depends I woulds say it could go for 4 hours without drinking or eating. 

Wet N Wild MegaLast Lip Color

Shade: Spotlight Red 911D

Price: 2.99

Saved the best for last, I love the Wet N Wild MegaLast lip line. I have so many shades, my go to lipsticks. They last literally for hours, some days I have trouble getting them off when it comes to bed time. I would honestly choose this lipstick over any high end one that got offered to me for free, I am beyond serious. You can not go wrong with this price either, won't break the bank got to love that. These are more of a matte finish but if you have a clear lip gloss or chap stick that can change. I would go to your local drugstore and pick some of these up right now, you will not be disappointed.

What are your favorite red lipsticks?

Xoxo Liz ♥