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…

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 VS. 

Butter London’s “Fairy Lights”  {VS}  Color Club’s “Foil Me Once”

This shimmery metallic rose pink can be rocked with any skintone and by edgy hipsters and girly girls alike. Butter’s will run you about $17, while Color Club’s about $8. Take your pick and get ready to be staring at your nails all day long!

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You couldn’t wait to get your pastel fix on during the springtime and then you couldn’t wait to paint blazing oranges and classy corals on your fingertips during the summer. But what is a girl to do when August dies down, Labor day rolls around, your tan is still intact but your nail color options are played out?

You choose “Don’t Tell Mama” by Deborah Lippmann, of course. Though the product description mentions “mistletoe” and uses holiday diction, I’ve found potential for this product elsewhere. In a whole different season. 

From an all-black to an all-white outfit for those Labor Day weekend parties, “Don’t Tell Mama” is wearable with any outfit. A major plus? It complements your tan! This deep shimmery green will take you from those final beach days into those Indian Summer stints right into when the leaves turn color. 

DB is the equivalent to the Holy Grail of nail color (big statement, yes, especially when I hold Essie so close to heart). Quality nail polish, quirky/cheeky names and colors to die for, all of Deborah Lippman’s nail colors are worthy of your time (and money). 

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By now, you must know that I am a metallic addict. Sparkle, shimmer, shine…all things I overuse in my wardrobe and beauty product choices. 

And here’s Essie, coming to my rescue (yet again). Essie’s Mirror Metallics line is a dream come true for a girl like me. Have you seen those epic manicures on Pinterest or Tumblr that are so metallic they look like melted gold? Odds are, it’s Essie. 

Best of all, she’s offering 5 shades (from classic trendy to eccentric trendy) so that girls, no matter what their style, can buy in on the metallic trend. At $8 a pop, it’s a worthwhile investment because you won’t find quality polish with good metallic options elsewhere. (Side note: Penny Talk is my personal fave.) So hit up your nail lady, Ulta, favored drugstore, etc. and get your shine on! 

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KIKO Milano has been one of my best abroad finds yet! Think of a bright and cheerful Sephora setting with all the eyeshadows and lipsticks a girl could dream of…for a fraction of the price. 

I’ve bought lipstick (in bright magenta), the Unforgettable mascara and a bright orange nail polish for spring — I can safely say I am completely happy with all my purchases. 

Though KIKO may not be your new replacement for your Bare Minerals foundation or your beloved NARS blush, it’s a great place to try out new colors because the affordable prices allow you to do just that! 

So take a peek, choose a few pastel nail polishes or poppy lipsticks for spring and enjoy!

2011 has been a year of experimentation when it comes to manicures. And I love em all. Crackle, magnetic, marble….you name it, I like it. 

Sheer boredom and obsession with glitter made me play around with two colors I already had the other day, and voila! 

I used Sephora Brand’s Double Platinum for the first layer and Urban Outfitters’ Dust for the sparkle. Here’s how:

• Paint one (or two) coats of a sheer silver color. (You can really do this with any color your choose.)
• Paint a thing layer of Dust on each nail, (carefully!) only letting the little baby glitter specks get on your nail and the big glitter pieces at the tip. [Disclaimer: NOT an easy task. But like I said, bored? Try it.]
• Scoop Dust with your brush (and attempt to scoop as many big glitter pieces as possible) and then line the edges. Do as many layers as you so choose, but let each coat dry thoroughly before you do (because otherwise you’ll move the glitter). 

Feel free to go wild and be messy with it. The messier, the better. It’ll look like falling, glittery snowflakes. And that’s appropriate and a win.