Dark Circles be Gone!

I have incredibly dark under eye circles.  It doesn't matter how much I sleep or what products I buy...they are always there:(  Standard skin-colored concealers do a great job of evening out the skin and highlighting, but they don't do much for those dark circles.  Blue and Orange are opposite of one another on the color wheel.  Purple and yellow are opposite of one another on the color wheel.  These colors cancel each other out.   If you have dark circles they are probably on the blue/purple side.  It is no surprise that makeup companies created concealers that have yellow/orange undertones.  These concealers were created to cover those pesky dark circles.  Salmon colored concealers (pink/peach colored) do the trick as well. 

I am always looking for the best products.  I have tested out four concealers that have a color correcting color added.  I tend to use these under my concealer, but feel free to use them alone if you want a more natural look.  I pat them under my eye gently and blend them out with my ring finger.  I quickly take my concealer of choice and blend it over top with my Beauty Blender.  I always set my concealer with a powder because I don't love the creasing look that happens to most.  If you want an extra bright look, set your concealer with a yellow finishing powder (Ben Nye Banana Powder or NYX HD Finishing Powder in the color Banana.)  Yellow powder will blend into your skin without looking unnatural.  

I would head to your local Target or Sephora (Ulta has the Becca, Tarte, and Benefit concealers as well) to swatch them and see what product would be the best addition for your beauty regimen.  Sephora has a great return policy.  If you do not like a product you can return it as long as 3/4 of the product still remains!  You can always have the Makeup Artists at Sephora to apply the concealers to your face to see what works best for you.  Unfortunately, the same situation does not apply to the Pixi Concealer at Target.

Pixi Correction Concealer in Brightening Peach

Pixi Correcting Concealer- $12 at Target

Benefit Erase Paste- No. 1 Fair 

Benefit Erase Paste $26 Sephora

Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector 

Becca Undereye Corrector $29 Sephora

Tarte CC Undereye Corrector- Light-Medium

Tarte CC Undereye Corrector $24 Sephora

The Pixi Correction Concealer is Brightening Peach is a great product for the price.  It is on the thick side so I tend to blend this with my BeautyBlender to get an even application.  If you do not have a BeautyBlender, your ring finger will do the trick but be patient and gentle as you blend it out.  Your eye area has very thin skin and that is why most tend to get wrinkles there before the rest of the face.  Your ring finger will warm the product and it will blend out.  This product does last a long time if I set it with a powder.  The Target Cartwheel App will often offer this brand for 10% off.  

The Benefit Erase Paste is a lot thinner of a consistency than the Pixi.  I used to reach for this all the time, but I personally prefer an under eye brightener with a stronger peach/salmon colored tint.  I think that this is great for natural days, but for me this doesn't do as much as the other types mentioned.  If your under eyes aren't incredibly blue/purple this would be great for you.  It blends seamlessly and adds a lot of brightness to your eye area.  This product comes in three shades: Fair, Medium, and Deep.

I absolutely love the Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector.  It has a shimmery look to it which concerned me initially.  Putting glitter under your eyes emphasizes fine lines.  This product did not have a shimmer effect once it was applied though.  It reminds me of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders that blur imperfections.  It counteracts the bluish color under my eyes, but it isn't very thick.  I think that it sits better under concealer than the previous two that I mentioned.  It is a pricy, but a little goes a long way! 

The Tarte CC Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector is a great product.  It is a little thick initially, but it thins out nicely with a little warmth from your finger or the dampness of a BeautyBlender.  This is very pigmented and does wonders with my under eye area.  I can almost get away with using this without applying any additional concealer on top.  Due to the color I have to because otherwise my under eyes would be darker than the rest of my face.  I am incredibly fair!  Tarte uses natural ingredients which is an added bonus.  This product comes in two shades: light-medium and medium-deep.

Lip Recovery

I always have a terrible time with chapped lips every single time winter rolls around.  The dry air paired with my love of lip stains leave my lips covered with dry and flaky lips.  It is definitely not a look that I go for.  Applying any item on my lips magnifies the lines and flakiness.  Yuck!  I always use a good lip balm to save my lips from the discomfort, but that doesn't seem to help with the flakes.  Mint Julips Lip Scrub from Lush is my saving grace.  Lush products are made from natural ingredients and don't bother my very sensitive skin/lips.  It is so easy to use and makes my lips come back to life.  You take a little bit of the scrub and buff it on your lips.  The directions tell you to lick it off, but I have a difficult time licking the flakes off of my lips...sick!  It is safe to consume though!  I use a tissue to wipe the scrub and flakes off.  My lips are left incredibly smooth and ready for any lip product that I want to apply.  After using this product my lipstick (especially matte formulas and stains) go on smooth and they no longer accentuate any lines in my lips.  My favorite flavor Lush offers is Mint Julips, but they offer Bubble Gum, and Popcorn as well.  A few times a year they offer additional flavors, but I haven't tried any of those flavors yet.
  Mint Julips Lip Scrub from Lush $9.95 for 0.8 oz.


If you would rather make your own try this recipe!

• 2 tsp brown sugar (light or dark)
• 1/2 tsp honey 
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• Mixing bowl
• A small container

Step 1: mix the olive oil and honey in a mixing bowl.

Step 2: add the brown sugar and mix well.

Step 3: add the vanilla (unnecessary step, but it makes the scrub smell/taste good!)

Step 4: store it in a container that has a lid.  If it is left open it will harden.

I personally prefer the Lush over the homemade version, but the homemade version is made from items you probably already have in your kitchen.  The DIY will help solve your winter lip woes.

Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion Vs. Ro's Argan Body Conditioner and L'occitane Almond Shower Oil

I suffer from very dry skin.  I love my lotions and potions, but some of my favorite items that diminish dry skin are very expensive.  I love to treat myself, but I am always looking for a more affordable alternative.   Body conditioners go on after you cleanse, but need to be rinsed before you get out of the shower/tub.  If you haven't tried a body conditioner/oil I recommend checking one of these out.  You will not be disappointed. 

 I picked up this In-Shower Nivea Body Lotion at Target.  It retails for $5.99 at Target.  You get a whopping 13.5 fl. oz., which should last a while.  The smell is pretty subtle, but overall it smells very fresh.  The scent doesn't seem to overpower my perfume.  It is a pretty thin body conditioner.  I used it right after I washed...it left my skin feeling so soft.  I found it hard to believe that many consumers felt that they didn't need to apply a lotion after they got out of the shower.  I was absolutely amazed.  My skin felt completely moisturized and I did not need a single drop of lotion.  It didn't leave a residue and left me soft without feeling sticky.  I will definitely repurchase this item.  There are three different formulas, but I went with the Dry Skin version that is in a blue bottle.  I plan to try the others once this version runs out.  If you have an interest in trying out a body conditioner I definitely recommend this product!  Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion

I absolutely love L'Occitane products, but they are incredibly expensive.  I only buy them when I receive a discount at Sephora or when I have a gift card.  This is quite a bit different than the other two body conditioners.  This is an oil rather than a conditioner.  The smell is amazing, but doesn't linger throughout the day.  This product is used after you cleanse and then it is rinsed off.  I like this version a little bit better for the summer. It moisturizes well, but doesn't leave a residue behind.  I recommend this product as well, but I wouldn't want to splurge and replace it regularly.  I like to use this for special occasions as well.  Almond Shower Oil

I have used Ro's Argan Body Conditioner for a few years now.  The scent lingers all day and the natural ingredients make it a great find.  The price point is high as it is with most Lush products, but you do truly get what you pay for.  This has a very heavy rose scent, but not an unnatural one.  It contains argan oil, cocoa butter, cupuaca butter, brazil nut oil, almond oil, and shea butter.  It also contains other natural ingredients.  I will always purchase this, but I know that I cannot afford to use this on a daily basis due to the price point.  It retails for $32.95 for 8.4 oz.  I know that this must sound crazy, but it is a nice item to have on-hand to use on special occasions.  After using this you will not need to apply a lotion.  Your skin is left very moisturized and soft to the touch.  I do feel that this leaves a residue, but I enjoy that heavily moisturized feeling.  I tend to reach for this more in the winter due to the residue and extreme moisture it leaves behind.  Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner