Top 5 Blushes

ELF makes the best blush for the price. Mellow Mauve is my favorite color. It is exactly as described. A toned down mauve color with no shimmer or glitter. Great color payoff.

Retail cost $3.00

Benefit Rockateur

This wonderful rose gold blush gives just the right amount of color to the checks. It does have a slight shimmer but its not glittery. I like it because I can build it up if I want a more intense look. I also find I don’t need to wear a highlight when wearing this blush.

Retail cost $29.00

Makeup Geek Spell Bound

The finish of Makeup Geek blush is awesome. Spell Bound is
a peachy pink (or salmon) color with matte finish. Having a fair skin tone, this works well and deposits a wonderful pigment of color across my cheeks.

Retail cost $10.00 Pan / $15.00 Compact

Mac Sincere

A sheer-tone coral blush that is long wearing. I find with this color on my fair skin tone, I can skip bronzer if I choose and just use this. This would also work really well on deeper skin tones.

Retail cost $17.00 Pan / $23.00 Compact

Wet N Wild Rose Champagne

This has been a staple in my collection forever. Recently they have reformulated them but I have not tried the new formula. I have heard wonderful things though so I am going to have to pick it up. This is a sheer tone blush with a pinky peach color. Many people gravitate to Apri-Cot In The Middle but I prefer Rose Champagne.

Retail cost $2.99

If you have a similar skin tone to mine and prefer similar colors, you will love all 5 of these blushes.

My Monthly Favorites | July Favorites

In July, I tried tons of products but I really haven’t been able to say whether or not a lot were my favorites yet so I have been relying on some oldies but goodies.

L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte in Shell Beige – This is one of my all time favorite foundations and ultimately when my skin is acting up I turn to this as I find it doesn’t clog my pours, gives me full coverage with a matte finish, and I always know I can count on it to look fabulous. You can find it at your local drug store or Ulta. Retail cost $12.99

Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Natural – I haven’t been doing a lot of contouring lately but have wanted to bronze up my face for summer and this wonderful bronzing powder has been really working with my skin tone. You can do additional contouring with it as well since it doesn’t have shimmer as well. Retail cost $42

Ardency Inn Modster Smooth Ride Supercharged Liner in Black – This is the BEST and only eye pencil I have found that stays on my water line. I like to tight line daily and this is the only pencil that holds for an extended period of time. Retail cost $20

Estee Lauder Estee Edit Pore Vanishing Stick – I have never found a primer or pore minimizer that not only works well but also works with my skin. Most pore minimizers tend to clog my pores and break me out. This wonderful “wonder stick” has been the best thing I have ever found. It doesn’t break me out and actually reduces the size of my pores. It does not help with mattifying, smoothing, or longevity of my foundation but because my foundation works well in those aspects, this stick works so well for me. Retail cost $28

Bath & Body Works 3 Wick Candle in Mango Coconut Cooler – I am a candle junkie. I buy them from everywhere and anywhere as long as they smell good. I find the Bath & Body Works 3-Wick candles are the best. They burn evenly and continually give off scent without over powering you. My favorite scent right now is the Mango Coconut Cooler. Perfect for summer and keeps me refreshed all day. Retail cost $22.50 but they have sales all the time so wait until a sale pops up.

What have been your monthly favorites that I can try?

#FridayFavorites GIVEAWAY – National Lipstick Day

In honor on National Lipstick Day, I am starting #FridayFavorites #Giveaway with some lippies.

Here are the rules:

Follow me on IG at @MyPenNamedJane
Like this photo
Repost this photo on IG using #WeLoveLippies
Comment on the IG photo and tag 2 friends.

EXTRA: For my #BlogLoves only, if you comment on this post, you will be entered a 2nd time doubling your chances to win.

Giveaway ends Saturday July 30 at 5pm CT. Giveaway is for US Only.

All products are brand new, purchased by me, not sponsored. Winners will be DM’d directly on IG. Make sure your IG is public.

No giveaway accounts/fake accounts will be counted.

Products to be given: Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm in 01 My Pink, NYX Cosmetics Lip Liner in Mauve, Urban Decay Lipstick in Liar, Buxom Full On Lip Cream in Dolly, and Kylie Cosmetics Lip Kit in Dolce K.

My FAVORITE Morphe Brushes – Specifically For The Face

Welcome, to my current favorite Morphe face brushes. During our normal makeup routine we use so many different types of brushes depending upon products, I have decided to split this into multiple post so that you don’t get bored reading over and over about every brush I love and use regularly. If you want to find out my TOP FIVE brushes for the face, keep reading.

M439 – Deluxe Buffer which I use for Liquid Foundation

The M439 is a synthetic bristle brush densely packed and perfect for liquid foundation. No matter if it’s a light weight or heavy coverage consistency, this brush evenly distributes product without soaking the foundation into the brush.

Retail cost $13.99

G5 – Pointed Powder which I use for Powder

The G5 is from the Gunmetal series and is perfect for any kind of powder application. I love it the most for powdering under my eyes or around my face with a pressed powder.

Retail cost $17.99

E1 – Deluxe Powder Brush which I use for Bronzer

The E1 is the best bronzer brush I have found. The new Elite series is even better than before. This brush gives a light dusting of bronzer all over without clumping it up in one area. Easy to blend out and with such a large brush head it makes it fast and easy.

Retail cost $22.99

E4 – Angled Contour which I use for Blush

Synthetic angled bristles make it easy to sweep a light dusting of blush on the apples of your checks up through your check bones. Before I found the E4, I had been using the same ELF brush for years as nothing compared….this brush completely replaced my ELF brush.

Retail cost $13.99

M529 – Precision Pointed Contour which I use for Highlight

This is a goat hair brush with soft bristles perfect for a light sweep of highlight on my check bones at the top of the cupids bow.

Retail cost $9.99

I am not an affiliate of Morphe Brushes but if you want a discount code to purchase just google and you can easily find one from a beauty youtube guru. While I use many brands and types of brushes, Morphe is by far my favorite.

Stay tuned for my favorite eye brushes…

REVIEW: Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil

As a beloved user of the Anastasia brow products, the brow wiz, brow definer, dipbrow, I am hesitant to try anything new. I have thinker eyebrows with only a slight arch therefore I need to give them definition to create a more defined arch daily. I love using the Gimme Brow from Benefit when I am not filling in my brows completely so I figured I would give their new pencil a try.

I was pleasantly surprised. Benefit‘s Precisely My Brow Pencil is slightly harder in consistency than Anastasia’s products but it still glides on smooth and doesn’t jump or apply patchy. I used color #2 which is similar to Anastasia’s taupe and worked well with my brow color. The spoolie is a little small but worked well for the purpose of combing my brows out and evening out product if needed. I found that if I made a mistake, it was easy to correct with a q-tip or concealer.

Precisely My Brow retails for $24 and can be purchased directly from Benefit, Sephora, or Ulta.

I would highly recommend this product and give it 5 STARS.

** This review is not sponsored and no compensation has been given in exchanged for this review.

My Everyday Eye Shadow Pallet

Everyone has those few eye shadows they reach for on a day to day basis. Well I finally created my go to pallet. This is the one I travel with and stays on the top of my makeup table since I use it in some way everyday. I gravitate to Makeup Geek and Morphe with some Anastasia and my go to crease color from Urban Decay. I use to have tons of Mac shadows and have slowly replaced them with other cheaper and better quality brands. I suggest anyone who loves makeup to check out Makeup Geek and Morphe for all their needs.

Top Row L-R: Morphe 02 Crystal, MUG Peach Smoothie, MUG Unexpected, Morphe 61 Nuts For You, MUG Gold Digger, Morphe 76, Morphe 23 Gravity.

2nd Row L-R: Urban Decay Laced, MUG Creme Burlee, MUG Vintage, Morphe 63 Creme Brule, Anastasia Custom, MUG Grandstand, Anastasia Sangria.

3rd Row L-R: MUG Barcelona Beach, MUG Latte, MUG Cherry Cola, MUG Americana, MUG Roulette, Morphe 74 Burlesque, Morphe 48 Midnight Kiss.

Last Row L-R: MUG Frappe, MUG Cocoa Bear, Morphe 71, MUG Bitten, Anastasia China Rose, MUG Burlesque, Morphe 53 Radiance.

Life UPDATE

It has been awhile since I have updated everyone on where life has taken me. Some of you I know IRL or follow me on social media so you may know bits and pieces of what has gone on. Let’s start with 2014 after my life took a drastic turn in a unplanned direction.

Life after Tragic Loss – It has taken some time but I am finally at peace with the passing of my grandfather. His continued pursuit for knowledge and ongoing love for his family near and far, blood or not lives inside me. He continues to shine his bright light over me as I carve my path throughout this twist and turn we all call life.

Life after Divorce – They say it takes 1 year to get over someone for every 5 years of the relationship. Well 12 / 5 = 2 years and 4 months. Well it’s been 1 year and 8 months and I can say I am over the man and the physical relationship but I miss my best friend sometimes. A marriage is built on friendship, love and most of a common goal. Although our goal was lost somewhere along the way, my love and friendship will remain. I have taken those experiences I have learned and apply them to my life now. I know what I do want and need from a partner in marriage (both of which are slightly different), I know where I am willing to budge on my wish list and most of all to trust my instincts.

Cross Country Move – Moving to the Midwest – first Detroit now Chicago – was a big change. This west coast girl was ready to brave the elements…mostly snow to be exact. The first winter wasn’t bad (although everyone keeps telling me it was mild and I got it easy). The midwest is a slower way of life and right now that is exactly what I have been looking for. I have gotten to meet tons of new people – especially AOII sisters, tried many new restaurants, and ventured through tons of tourist locations. I can’t wait to experience more.

What Reality Is Now – LIFE IS GREAT! I love the new adventure of my life. I am happy with who I am and where I want to go. I love my family, friends, work and my bright future.

Although this is a lifestyle blog and I will keep you abreast with my life and loves, I have decided to focus more towards beauty. Makeup, skin care, and overall health and wellness is one of my true loves. Add in some live music, sorority family, and traveling and that about sums it up. Stay tuned for more information, reviews, and loves.

My Top 5 FAVORITE Nude Lipsticks

I am sure every girl loves a good nude lipstick but everyone also has difference preference to which tone of nude will look best on them. I personally have fair skin and thin lips so finding the right shade of nude that would not wash me out was difficult. I finally have my 5 holy grail ones. I grab for these 5 all the time and have a 2nd set in my travel makeup bag in my purse at all times.

From top to bottom: Gerard Cosmetics – Buttercup, YSL Rouge Volupte – #1, Maybelline – Warm Me Up #235, Urban Decay Matte – Stark Naked, Rimmel by Kate – #14

Gerard Cosmetics in Buttercup – The formula is really smooth and this does have a more pinky tone to it. I find this one great to layer other lipsticks with as well as put gloss on.

YSL Rouge Volupte in #1 – This is the softest of all of them. It feels like butter on the lips. It doesn’t have as much staying power as the others but well worth it for the right shade.

Maybelline in Warm Me Up #235 – This falls more on the mauve side. This is probably my favorite because I can lighten or darken it with gloss without changing the tone too much. I find it wears really well and doesn’t come off patchy at all.

Urban Decay Matte in Stark Naked – I love Urban Decay lipsticks (well actually al their products) and this matte line is awesome. The staying power is great without being a liquid lipstick and definitely not as drying on your lips.

Rimmel by Kate in #14 – This is the darkest of the bunch but still perfect as a nude. I love this one alone or with a high shine gloss over the top. It’s really smooth and hydrating.

Well that wraps up my FAVORITE nude lipsticks. stay tuned for more of my top fav beauty products and even some first impression reviews.

15 Concerts in 2015

I have a goal to attend 15 concerts in 2015. Concerts and music in general make me happy. I love all kinds of music but I find I do gravitate to pop and country more than others. I am lucky to have wonderful friends that also enjoy concerts as much as I do so this year should be exciting.

Already booked:

March 21 – Dan + Shay (Las Vegas)
May 1 – NKOTB with TLC and Nelly (Las Vegas)
May 29 – NKOTB with TLC and Nelly (Detroit)

May 30 – Stephen Neal Band with ~~Jason Michael Carroll~~ (He cancelled) (Joliet, IL)
August 6 – Craig Wayne Boyd and Stephen Neal Band (Georgetown, IL)
August 7 – Stephen Neal Band (Champaign, IL)
Oct 3 – Chris Young, Stephen Neal Band, Jana Krammer, and Michael Ray (Joliet, IL)
Nov 6 – Maddie & Tae (Detroit, MI)

I can’t wait for the summer announcements of all the fall tour dates to add more to my list. Keep checking back as I update this list and see if you are attending any of the same concerts as I am.

Who do you recommend I see this year?

UPDATE: Although I didn’t get to 15 in total, it was a great year for live music. My love for live music lives on.

Challenge Accepted

T – Taylor Swift

A – Avril Lavigne

M – Maroon 5

A – Alabama

R – Rascal Flatts

A – Abba

A – Ariana Grande

B – Blake Shelton

E – Ellie Goulding

R – Rihanna

N – New Kids On The Block

A – Adele

T – Tim McGraw

H – Heart

Y – Ying Yang Twins

Author: My Pen Named Jane