My New Favorite Lipstick

Finding the perfect nude lipstick is a challenge. Usually what looks perfect in packaging turns out to be too dark, too light, too pink, or too orange. And while I like lip gloss or plain lip balm when I'm wearing little or no makeup, sometimes I want something that looks natural but better than my lips, something a little heavier than gloss.

I first discovered Milani lipstick on a whim and bought the shad Sweet Nectar, a bright red-orange color. With its creamy, easy-to-apply consistency and high-pigmented color it quickly became my favorite bright lipstick to wear. And while I like walking around with bright, almost neon lips, it doesn't always seem appropriate, especially in a retail environment where I'm trying to sell older, conservative women clothes.

So I decided to give the Milani lipstick in number 26 Nude Creme a try. The color is the perfect nude for my skin type, which is a light-medium shade with neutral undertones. The color is a brighter version of my natural lip color with a hint of gold and gives my normally slightly sallow skin a healthy glow. My favorite way to wear the lipstick is by first outlining and filling my lips with my NYX lipliner in Natural, applying the lipstick, dusting my lips with translucent powder for a matte finish and then applying another coat of lipstick.

Though this shade might not be the perfect "nude" lipstick, it's definitely a color I can see working for most skin colors.

What's your favorite lip product right now? Let me know in the comments section below! :)

Redbox Reviews: Golden Globe Winner and Oscar Nominee Boyhood

Boyhood has been picking up accolades left and right since its debut at Sundance last year, including the award for Best Motion Picture - Drama at the Golden Globes. It seems, however, that often critics and "normal" viewers differ when it comes to determining whether a movie is good or not. Case in point: The King's Speech won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2011; I had to watch the movie in intervals, is was that boring to me. 

I was hopeful about Boyhood because it was not only getting critical attention but praise from regular viewers. And now I see why. Boyhood is perhaps one of the most interesting, compelling films I've seen in years. 

Boyhood was shot over the span of twelve years. We watch as Mason Junior and his sister Samantha grow up in Texas primarily raised by their single working mother (Patricia Arquette) and their spontaneous, often absent father (Ethan Hawke). The story deals with big issues like abuse and divorce but also the normal everyday stuff that most kids face like bullying and first-time heartbreak. Though the story was written by Linklater, he altered the story to fit his actors as they grew which is perhaps why the story seems so real. Often independent films rely on the "realness" of reality to give a film depth and often they fall short. Boyhood does not. Watching the characters, old and young, transform before your eyes is as real as it gets. 

Precise editing is perhaps the most important reason this movie is as good as it is. The scenes are perfectly timed, no part of the movie seeming like it goes on for too long. Another reason the film is so good is the performances. Ellar Coltrane who portrays Mason Junior and Ethan Hawke both give worthy performances, but it is Patricia Arquette who really shines. Her performance as the mom just trying to get it right is often heartbreaking but perhaps the best, and ironically most joyful, performance in the film.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give Boyhood a 9. I've thought about this movie many times since I watched it, and I know I'll still think about it for years to come. It's that good.

You can get Boyhood (rated R) at Redbox right now. So, what are your favorite movies out right now? What one should I review next? Let me know in the comments section below. :)

Beauty Review: Covergirl Ready, Set Gorgeous Foundation and Concealer

I know this foundation and concealer duo has been on the market for a few months, but I was skeptical to try it because I typically don't really like Covergirl foundations. I need a lot of coverage when it comes to foundations and concealers and Covergirl hasn't done it for me in the past, so I typically stick to the products I've used for a long time, which is either Maybelline Fit Me liquid foundation or bareMinerals. But I heard some good things about this foundation on Youtube so I decided to try it out and I was actually pleasantly surprised...

The packaging of this product is really adorable and very Covergirl. It's pink and pretty, so I can see why a lot of people have bought it. The foundation has a subtle smell, almost like sunscreen. The texture is a lot like sunscreen too. It's a liquid but as you smooth it out it evaporates really nicely. It didn't feel like I was wearing much of anything at all, which is awesome.

As far as coverage goes, it did what it said it would do according to the Covergirl website, which says the product provides "medium coverage to even skin tone and cover imperfections." Like I said, I need a lot of coverage, so obviously not all of my imperfections were disguised but the redness was gone and most of bumps and marks were covered with just one layer.

What I'm most impressed with is how well the foundation stayed on my face. After four hours it looked the same as when I first put it on. I did apply a face primer first but I didn't add powder afterward. So the staying power is definitely good. Also, it doesn't feel slimy on my face, like I'll get it all over my pillow if I decide to take a nap. It has a matte finish but it does look a little powdery on my face in some places, probably in areas where I didn't moisturize enough. But if you make sure you moisturize well before applying it, you should be good.

The concealer, truthfully, is not the best. It didn't cover the dark circles under my eyes well and the texture isn't great for covering blemishes. There are definitely better concealers on the market.

If you have good skin and it doesn't get dry easily, then the Covergirl Ready, Set Gorgeous foundation is perfect for you. And even if your skin isn't perfect, this foundation is still really good for providing a little bit of coverage without caking on lots of makeup. I bought this foundation for around eight or nine dollars at CVS. The concealer was about eight dollars.

Have you tried the Ready, Set Gorgeous foundation? What new beauty products have you tried or do you want to try? Let me know in the comments section below! :)

How I Feel About My First Beauty Box Ever...3 Weeks Later

I think I was a little late when it came to joining the beauty box subscription craze. Maybe I was afraid of committing ten dollars a month when I'm already on a tight budget, but I did eventually take the plunge. My first choice for a beauty subscription box was Ipsy because I've been watching Michelle Phan's Youtube videos for a few years now and I had heard Ipsy gave the most makeup samples, but there's currently a waiting list. So I decided to join Birchbox despite the fact that it gets a lot of mixed reviews. A lot of beauty box "unboxings" are people's reactions when first seeing their box. I thought I would mix things up a little and tell you how I feel about my first box...three weeks later.

My box arrived on December 12th (I think). Maybe it was the Christmas spirit in the air or something but opening up the box really did feel like my birthday or Christmas. The products came in a beautiful blue box with gold details (that I will definitely reuse as home decor probably) and were wrapped in blue tissue paper. But you could wrap sticks and rocks in tissue paper and I would be excited to open it. 

The Rundown of My Products:

1. Excuse the lighting in this picture. I took it at night with with only a reading lamp to light the products, so it's hard to see what the products actually look like. The first product pictured is Coola Mineral Sunscreen/Natural BB Cream. Its perks: it's tinted, it has SPF 30, and it's unscented, which is nice when your face is already sensitive to sunscreens. The con: the sample is only .17 fluid ounces so I may be able to get two uses out of it. I haven't even tried the product yet because I want to save it! 
2. The second product is English Laundry's Signature perfume. I really, really like this strong floral, woodsy scent. I had heard of English Laundry before but had never smelled any of their scents so I was very happy to see it in my box. The sample was roughly the size of any perfume sample you can get at a department or beauty store. 
3. The third product is the one I have used the most. Tocca Hand Cream in Cleopatra is grapefruit and cucumber scented and paraben free. The lotion goes on smoothly but definitely combats the dryness of "winter weathered" hands well. It does take a while to absorb into your skin, however. About thirty minutes after applying the lotion my hands still felt a little greasy. Also, I'm not much into really fruity scents and the grapefruit scent definitely overpowers the cucumber one. The lotion comes in a one fluid ounce sample, a really nice travel size.
4. The fourth product is from Lord & Berry, an Italian company. It is a mini liner in #5072 Sparkle Black. When it arrived in the mail the pencil was sort of chalky and hard to use, but after sitting in my makeup container for a few weeks it softened up and now it glides on pretty well. The hint of sparkle is not over the top but makes it different from a basic black eyeliner. I wore this eyeliner over the holidays but by the end of the night it had melted off. Next time I should apply an eyeshadow primer before I apply it maybe...
5. The fifth and final product is Real Chemistry's Luminous 3-Minute Peel. According to the back of the box it "helps with controlling acne breakouts, diminishing dark spots, reducing ingrown hairs, evening skin tone, brightening complexion" and "smoothing & resurfacing skin texture." I was hesitant to use this product because I see a dermatologist regularly and have prescription medicines that are the only products I'm supposed to use on my skin. My curiosity got the better of me however and I tried it once. My skin felt immediately smoother after just one use and my skin felt surprisingly hydrated as well. Once is enough for me though because I'm afraid how its ingredients will interact with my other skin products if I continue regularly using them all. Though the sample is very small (only .17 fl. oz), it's not an everyday product so you could get some decent use out of it over time. 

When I watch beauty box unboxings on Youtube the products always look bigger, so when I received my box it was tinier than I imagined. It easily fit in my mailbox. Even in the picture I took the products look bigger than they are. So I guess the camera really does add ten pounds (or just makes things look bigger).

The verdict: I'm pretty excited about my subscription. I live in small-town Tennessee and the nearest beauty store is about forty minutes away. It's really not that far, but I can't just go whenever I want; it takes a little time and I have to plan my trips. So the fact that I can experience a variety of new, higher-end products and they're shipped to my door is pretty nice. Yes, the samples are small and probably not too different from those I could get in department or beauty stores. Also, I'm afraid I'll start receiving the same products over and over. I've heard that's happened with some Birchbox users in the past. But for me convenience is king right now, so we'll see what happens.

Do you currently subscribe to a beauty box? Which ones are your favorite/least favorite? Let me know what ones I should check out in the comments section. I've heard good things about Boxycharm...:)

The 5 Best Feel Good Movies on Netflix Right Now

There really is no better pick-me-up than a movie, and there's definitely no better pick-me-up kind of movie than one that makes you feel good. Feel good movies are for everyone, whether you're craving something sweet, funny, romantic, or all of the above. So the next time you're feeling down or maybe you've got two hours to kill, watch one of these feel good movies from Netflix and instantly boost your mood.

• Ferris Bueller's Day Off 

This one is a classic, so you've probably seen it at least once or twice. Ferris Bueller (played brilliantly by Matthew Broderick) is a conniving but cool and clever high school senior who decides to fake one last sick day and spend it in Chicago with his best friend Cameron ( the very endearing Alan Ruck) and his beautiful girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara). Ferris and his friends encounter a snooty maitre d', lip synch to "Twist and Shout" in a huge street parade, and discuss life after high school, all while their nosey principal Ed Rooney tries to catch Ferris skipping once and for all. Like all of John Hughes's other teen films, Ferris Bueller's Day Off captures the best parts of being a teenager without ever making its young characters seem inexperienced or unimportant. Ferris is never just immature or silly; he's someone everyone wishes they could be, at least for one day. 

• While You Were Sleeping

I love this movie. My 24 year old older brother loves this movie, my mother loves this movie, and my 17 year old sister loves this movie. Basically, anybody and everyone can love this movie, no matter your gender or age. After saving a handsome lawyer she has never spoken to but has admired from afar, Lucy (Sandra Bullock) is mistaken for the comatose man's fiancee and forms a relationship with his family. She struggles with the guilt of keeping her real identity a secret, all while she begins to fall for her fake fiancee's working class brother. The movie is comfortably predictable and romantic without being overly sappy. Watch it with your other half or your family.

• Galaxy Quest

I remember watching this movie on VHS as a little girl while my dad laughed so hard he couldn't make a sound. Years later, I actually understand the movie and appreciate how it constantly (but not in mean way) makes fun of the success of the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises. Tim Allen plays a has-been television actor who, along with his has-been cast mates (Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman to name a few), is recruited by a real alien race to save their planet. You don't have to be a fan of Star Wars or Star Trek to appreciate the humor. Frankly seeing Professor Snape in a comedy is a good enough reason to watch. 

• Silver Linings Playbook

Often movies about mental illness are sad but not this one. Sure, there are tense moments but there's a hopefulness present throughout the entire movie that makes even those moments easier to watch. Pat (Bradley Cooper) is in a bad place. He discovered his wife cheating on him and, in a moment of temporary insanity, made some bad decisions. Just released from a mental hospital, Pat is intent on getting his wife back and is convinced by family friend Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence in her Oscar-winning performance) to join a ballroom dance competition with her to prove he's changed. The entire cast (which also includes Robert De Niro in one of his best recent performances) is great and the final dance scene will definitely become a movie classic if it isn't already. 

• Zoolander

This one is ridiculous but so, so brilliant. Ben Stiller plays fashion model Derek Zoolander. He's ignorant and over the top which makes him the perfect candidate for fashion designer Mugatu (Will Ferrell) to persuade into killing the prime minister of Malaysia. If you've ever heard the terms "Blue Steel" or "Magnum" then you have this movie to thank. Boasting about a million celebrity appearances, including the likes of Paris Hilton and David Bowie, every minute of this film will make you laugh. You may lose a few brain cells in the process but it's all in good fun. 

As of now all of these films are scheduled to remain on Netflix in 2015. Fingers crossed they do!

...And if you like this list, check out my list of the The 5 Best Chick Flicks on Netflix here. Let me know in the comments section what your favorite feel good movies are. :)

What to Wear: Traditional Versus Alternative Wedding Dresses

As a little girl I dreamed of wearing a big, white princess ball gown on my wedding day. I wanted lots of flowers, a huge cake, and tons of people to attend. As I grow older, however, I find myself craving simplicity more and more, and in turn, I think my wedding will be a much simpler affair than I imagined as a little girl.

It seems that more and more brides are leaning toward alternative ceremonies complete with alternative wedding dresses. Though not necessarily simple, the weddings are different from those of our mothers and grandmothers. And thanks to the Internet (and especially Pinterest), creating a unique, personalized wedding is easier than ever.

Fashion It girl Olivia Palermo combined traditional and alternative wedding style when she donned a custom white Carolina Herrera sweater, shorts, and skirt combo for her big day. Other looks brides have been rocking recently: short dresses (especially for courthouse and other small ceremonies) and even colored dresses. The green Jason Wu dress pictured below would be great for an alternative black tie wedding.

So, what kind of wedding do you want to have (or did you have)? Will you wear a traditional gown, something alternative, or a look that's a little bit of both? Let me know in the comments section. :)

Alternative Wedding Dresses by grecbarn featuring vintage wedding dresses

Nicole Miller prom gown, $365 / Jason Wu long v neck dress / Wedding gown / Vintage wedding dress