First off: Who doesn’t love a good deal? Urban Decay’s 24/7 Double Eyeliner comes with Zero (blackest black) and Whiskey (a universal warm aptly named brown). 

Common eyeliner pet peeves:
Gives you raccoon eyes
Disappears off within an hour of application
Smudges where it’s not wanted
Skips while lining 

This, my friends, does NONE of the above. It goes on smooth like butter (yeah, I said it) and more importantly, stays on. I emphasize this so much because I’ve purchased liner after liner under the false premise that it was “long-wearing” or “long-lasting” but in reality, WHAT A JOKE. More on the smooth like butter comment though: this pencil doesn’t do that whole skipping thing while you’re casually lining and it decides to do a ski jump on your water line. That’s a no-no. Urban Decay understand this. They created a product that will never let that happen. And me? I’ll just be forever grateful. 

A word on color: There’s the jet black “Zero” and the very wearable brown “Whiskey”. Wear alone or mount it on your smokey eye or draw on the walls, you’ll be a happy camper no matter what you decide.

xx

After searching for the perfect champagne pink eyeshadow for years (literally), I found Kitten by Stila. I only had one question for it: “Where have you been all my life?!”

It stays on through your first few cups of coffee, through a long day of class and yes, all the way through a rough night at the bar. Kitten, you are a true makeup godsend. 

It’s fairly pigmented but not obnoxiously glittery (a la NARS’ Hula Hula). Shimmer is the word. And shimmer it does. It layers evenly and easily and can be worn alone or in a neutral smokey eye combo deal. Hello, versatile! Hello, stocking stuffer! 

xx

In the midst of a beauty world with options such as cherry red lipstick, firecracker glitter nail polish, teal eyeliner and hot pink kabuki blush, sometimes it’s nice to go back to basics. And what better time to return than fall? September marks the time to complement the tan you worked so hard for and accentuate your best features with an effortless disguise. Here’s a running list of some products for oomph while staying au naturale:

China Glaze’s Fast Track
Originally from the Hunger Games-inspired collection, this nude shade (with bits of gold shimmer) goes with any outfit while remaining neutral enough for a job interview. 
 

Jouer SPF 15 Lip Sheer in Capri
This one always makes me feel like I’m wearing lipstick without the commitment of wearing lipstick. It’s sheerness and baby pink color makes itsuper natural and wearable everyday without having to touch up every 5 minutes. 

Smashbox Eye Beam Double Ended Brightener
This pencil is my dream come true. I’m obsessed with highlighting my browbone, the inner corners of my eyes and lining the rims…and guess what? This one DOES IT ALL. #winning 

Rimmel Glam’Eyes Trio Eyeshadow in Orion A more affordable option than the Naked Palette — good for quick & easy on a daily basis. Use the lightest shade for a highlight, the darkest for the crease and the medium to blend it out! 

Urban Decay Naked Palette (1)
Cause the original is always the best. I use all shades on a regular basis (minus the 3 to the right) and am running out, using my Naked 2 and weeping. #semiwhitegirlproblems 
 

Tarte EmphasEYES Inner Rim Brightener
Looking awake is going to be important and a priority, especially when classes start. Save the kohl-rimmed eyes for the bar and opt for a lighter option during the day. Thank you, Tarte, just thank you.
 

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup 
The name of the product is kind of a spoiler in its own right. Weightless? Check. Naked skin? Check. Ultra definition….maybe is Urban Decay lingo for a matte finish with luminosity. 

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Below are some products that I’m currently lusting after — I just felt the need to share some modern takes on classic beauty staples! Enjoy!

MAC Ruffian Naked Lipstick 
Cause if anyone can properly execute a nude lip, MAC can.
 

Deborah Lippmann’s Let’s Go Crazy
I like Deborah Lippmann. I like going crazy. I like the looks of this polish cause it looks plain CRAZY. (I also want every polish DB makes…forever.)
 

Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream
Specifically #13 Warm Beige because it’s a shimmery champagne color that’s completely wearable for everyday. But then again… I said this about both my Naked palettes and countless eyeshadows from Rimmel, NARS, etc. 

Butter London’s Wallis
I mean, HELLO AUTUMN.
 

Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Eyes (19L)
Cause honestly, even jet black eyeliner can get redundant. 

Sephora Silicone Free Foundation Primer
Potentially a cure for the giant SOS our skin is sending us. Cheaper than LORAC’s non-silicone primer, but is it worth a try? Hmm…

xx

NARS Foreplay: The Quintessential Blush Kit 
With three blushes and a highlighter, prepare to complete your windblown, flushed cheeks, doe-eyed look for the imminent fall season. It includes Orgasm, the universal blush staple, and three shades that make Orgasm (so that you can blend and blend until you have your own unique pigment). With shades of peach, pink and gold and a super cheeky innuendo name, what’s not to love?

Michael Kors Gold Rose Edition: Smell Like a Better You
Every September, along with back-to-school’s vague sense of new beginnings comes a  revamp of personal style. With non-New Years’ resolutions and new products galore, everyone can vow to be a little better this year…and smell a little better too. Michael Kors’ newly launched Gold (Rose Edition) perfume can help you do that. Sophisticated without being over the top, it’s fresh, elegant and definitely feminine. Ambitious girly girls: rejoice. 

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil: For Yearbook Superlative-Worthy Locks
This oh-so magical oil is a godsend for anyone who’s been plagued with dry locks, especially at summer’s end. With a lightweight formula and six essential oils, consider all fly-aways tamed, frizz banished and hair ready to shine for those back-to-school photo ops.  

Sephora Lush Flush Lip & Cheek Stain: The Girls Want To Be Her, The Boys Want To Date Her 
One of my personal favorite duos is this type of handy contraption: the sheer lip & cheek stain. A fabulous choice for any girl-on-the-go, whether you’re making your 10am meeting or just trying to get to Calc on time, this duo is build-able, blend-able and long-lasting. Use it to create that perfect “I look like I’m not wearing makeup but actually am so aha!” look with just-bitten lips and perfectly flushed cheeks. 

Buxom Sculpted Lash Mascara: For Better Grades, Use Buxom
Whether it’s getting out of a speeding ticket or bumping that grade up to a C+, Buxom will be there for you when you break out the on-the-verge-of-tears-bet-your-lashes act. The “S” shaped brush is the unique kid of the class, in that foreign and mysterious way. If fanned-out lashes is your objective, opt for Buxom. Stat. 

Benefit’s Boi-ing: For The Late Nights Spent “Studying” 
Undereye circles go hand in hand with 101 classes, frat parties and Ramen in college. Chances are, no matter who or where you are, you’re going to need to keep a good undereye concealer on hand at all times. From touch-ups to industrial strength skincare warfare, Benefit’s got your back like a good roommate should.  

Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow: Easy, Breezy, Beautiful 2012 Edition 
Not all of us have the extra daylight hours to spare to plaster on Kim Kardashian makeup in the morning, smokey eye and all. MUFE’s Aqua Shadow allows us to embrace our inner kindergartener and color in the lines (or out) with their eyeshadow pencil. Smudge-able, build-able and blend-able, this pencil creates an effortless look that doesn’t fade or crease, allowing you to shuffle from class to social engagements while being all IDGAF about stopping at any mirrors you may pass by.

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream: Pretty Little Lying Gossip Girl Skin 
Get the skin as seen on TV. Emulate those 26-year-olds-playing-high-school-juniors with Garnier’s hyped BB Cream. It’s foundation with some extra pros and without the commitment of a heavy foundation, which works perfect for us millenial commitment-phobes. Sheer and long lasting, it’s lack of heavy/intense coverage will allow your young, you-won’t-get-this-back skin to shine (and by shine, I mean metaphorical shine…because we don’t like shiny skin in the beauty world). 

EXTRA CREDIT: Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion (now in new packaging) — A must for any season! 

xx
 

Liquid
- Recommendations: YSL Touch Éclat (pen) 
- Good for under-eye circles
- Good for dry skin
- Heavy coverage
- Apply with fingers or makeup sponge
 

Powder
- Recommendation: Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder SPF 15
- Super light mineral powder
- Good for all-over coverage and setting makeup
- Perfect for hot/humid summer weather
- Good for oily skin (absorbs oil and prevents shine)  
 

Cream
- Recommendation: Bobbi Brown Corrector
- Best for covering under-eye circles (good for sensitive skin spots)
- Works best when dabbed onto skin
- Apply moisturizer before cream concealer 
 

Stick
- Recommendation: Smashbox Camera Ready Full Coverage Concealer
- Not quite liquid, not quite pencil
- Blends well, use fingers to dab or concealer brush
- Good for acne prone skin  
- Also good for dark circle, scars and blotchy skin  
 

Pencil
- Recommendation: Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil
- Not for sensitive skin areas
- Blends well
- Medium to heavy coverage  

Over the past few weeks, I’ve begun to notice that my beloved Shu Uemura eyelash curler has been delivering a lackluster performance. Now, I worship my eyelash curler like some worship holy scriptures…so this little speed bump left me speechless. 

So, when I was in Sephora, I asked one of the sales associates about those squishy little pads that go in the eyelash curler, hoping to replace my old ones. However, she told me that (drumroll please) I’m better off just buying a new eyelash curler altogether. She said that (all) brands give you one or two sets of squishy pads for the curler but when that runs out, it’s time for a new curler. Reasoning? When the pads stop working, your eyelashes stop curling and can actually get pulled out by the curler. Gasp, yes. 

So ladies (and fine gents), when your eyelash curler stops curling like it used to, it’s not a fluke or one-time thing. It’s time just to suck it up and get a new eyelash curler. Yes, this is how companies make money off of us beauty-obsessed individuals. Yes, we’ll do it because we don’t want our eyelashes to fall out. Because everyone knows that mascara alone with never do it. 

xx

Sure, teal eye makeup may be hot and on trend, but the key to mastering eye makeup?  Flattering your eye color!

Smashbox is making life a little bit easier for all the brown-eyed girls out there this summer. With their Master Class Eyeshadow Quad, you can play up your best feature with some tailored earth tones. Best part? FOR $10. 

You can use these shades individually for a naturally pretty look or combine them to create a soft, smokey eye (just remember to blend). Jazz it up with a pink lip and you’re good to go!