Fauxprah Feeling Sheer & Springy

So I have been a little bit obsessed lately with a couple of things, lipgloss and/or sheer lipstick and varying dewey make up foundations.  Having never worn foundation too much ever in my life I have found that I like dewey and light to medium (pretty much light preferred coverage).  I have a $$$ version and a cost friendly version that I'm trying tonight.  Here they are:



$$$
Because you know Fauxprah an expensive bitch.  Seriously I have tried some foundations out there and there really is nothing like Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua.  So moisturizing.  So light.  So beautifully fragranced.  I kind of love it.  At $47 kind of pricey but I look at it as I do my beloved YSL Rouge Volupte Lipsticks.  Althought it isn't Maybelline, I'm Fauxprah is totally worth it.

Cost Friendly
Probably my favorite right now is  Rimmel's BB Radiance Creme .  It does everything.  It primes and gives excellent coverage.  I however learned today that you don't put it on just after you apply your moisturizer.  It got a little streaky.  At $6.49 at Target though, you can't really argue.

I'll get back to you...
I will get back to you on the new Maybelline Fit Me stick foundation.  It is what it sounds like, a stick foundation with a powder core.  I only swachted it but it seemed so lovely.  I have to admit though I mainly bought this to keep in my purse because it was so compact and not messy.

Now lipsticks, glosses, stains, etc... I run the gamut on .  Sometimes I like really dark, but with spring rolling around I'm finding myself pulled toward sheer and light.  Also with any of the most cost friendly options, they are all under $10.  And tonight I bought buy one get one 1/2 off at Walgreens so I scored even more.

$$$
I do believe most of the time you can do just as well as a drugstore lipstick with one exception.  YSL's Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks.  They are creamy, sheer, beautiful and I haven't seen another formula like it anywhere.  It is one of my holy grails of make up.  $36 well spent dollars.

Sensual Silk

Cost Friendly:
So Fauxprah went a little nuts at the drugstore tonight.  I bought several things.  First were the Revlon Color Burst Lip Butters in creme brûlée and the other in strawberry shortcake.  They are lovely with just a hint of color and a lot of shine, perfect for spring.  The formula is exactly the name of the lipsticks.  It is like buttah!  I also have the pink truffle one from a previous purchase.  They were $8, but Walgreens had a sale of buy one get one 50% off.  FAUXPRAH SCORED!!!

Creme Brûlée & Strawberry Shortcake

I also have Pink Truffle

Revlon was the big winner of the night however I'm going to save the best for last and move onto Maybelline for now.  Though these are not glosses they are very beautifully pigmented lipsticks.

I'm not a big matte fan however their color, "touch of spice," was too intoxicating.  It is the perfect matte.  My lips, but better.  And if I want to gloss it up, well I just pull out some gloss.   This lipstick was part of their color sensational line, but just a matte finish.  It was $7.29, but you know Fauxprah was rockin' this 50% off after you buy one deal, so just look below for some more lipcolor.

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick
Touch Of Spice

My next two were also part of that line, but provide a glossier finish.  The colors I selected were, "let me pink," and "summer sunset."  Both lovely spring colors and so very creamy.  Apparently they are blended with honey nectar.  Well consider Fauxprah a bee because I be buying a lot ore of these.  These were $7.29 as well.

 Let Me Pink

Summer Sunset

Now my favorite...  Revlon really needs to work on their packaging because their Super Lustrous Lipgloss was my fave. I thought would be just o.k. and I would just love the color.  These were not just o.k., they were fan flipping tastic.  All of those are words.  I got these in  their colors, "snow pink" and "supernatural."  They are sooooooo very sheer and sooooo very glossy.  Absolutely the greatest spring time make up look.  Cannot wait to pair it with my L'Oreal Visible Lift, Color Lift Blush in nude.  I will talk more on that in another blog, because I want to review that entire  beautiful line.  Not only a perfect spring look, but a perfect no make-up look  At $8.29... Fauxprah got a steal.

The two on the top are the colors I got.

Left: Snow Pink

Right: Supernatural

So that is all for Ms. Fauxprah for right now but I have a ton of stuff to review so the next week or five will have Fauxprah busy as a bee can be.

GAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!! I'M RUNNING LATE FOR BRUNCH WITH IRIS CUTTER!!!

Once again I am running late and this time is with my lovely friend Iris Cutter at Lady Gregory's Irish Bar & Restaurant in Andersonville (Chicago, Illinois).

Lady Gregory's Interior

I will get you to the things today that I love that made me presentable for our brunch, but first and foremost if you go to Lady Gregory's might I recommend to you the Spinach and Artichoke Omlet ($12.50) from their Brunch Menu.

Spinach & Artichoke Omlet w/Cheese Grits

I hate eggs and it is absolutely brilliant.  They also serve cheese grits with it.  Being from the south, this is never a bad thing.  Otherwise Lady Gregory's is just a wonderful spot in Andersonville.  Should you be there during their other hours look at their Snacks Menu and try the Amish Blue Chips ($5).

Amish Blue Chips (w/truffle oil)

Fresh made crispy chips drizzled in truffle oil and topped off with blue cheese.  Grab those and a beer and you have absolute perfection.

So... I came running into Lady Gregory's and of course I'm overcome by the beauty that is Iris, sitting at a table, casually sipping her coffee and no doubt illuminating the world with her infinite wisdom.  You can be privy to this wisdom on Iris Cutter's Blog.  She is a gift to the earth.

Though Iris and I just wanted to eat and chat I have to say I had an ulterior motive and that was to promote her new "EXPRESSO," stickers.  I thought this idea was brilliant.  As you can see, they are stickers that you  fill in yourself and let the world know how you are feeling.  In the world of social media (twitter, instagram, etc...) this I think will catch on like wild fire. Iris per usual is feeling, "unbridled joy."  

Iris Cutter Feeling Unbridled Joy

iriscutter.wordpress.com

Should I find that Ms. Cutter has these for sale I will post the link on this site.  She brought me a bunch today, can't wait to post my first "EXPRESSO."  (Cost Unknown - Get to selling these Iris).

So today I went running into our delightful brunch today quite literally, past my favorite stylist Samuel at Restoration Salon in Andersonville.  I hope he didn't see me because my hair be a mess and in dire need of a trim bokay!  

  

Hairstylist - Samuel

Other than my hair here are the rest of products that make me  not look a mess today.

Per usual (see my first blog post) I went to my standbys (I will put pictures of these at the end as to not take up space here since I have posted about these before and have included the links below):

Sephora Liquid Moisturizing Skin Concentrate ($22 - Sephora) to make my skin not look so dehydrated.  I paired this with whatever moisturizer I'm using at the time.  For now I'm using Oil of Olay Reginerist - Micro Sculpting Cream Moisturizer ($25 - Ulta).  I made my eyes look more presentable using FIRST AID BEAUTY Eye Duty Triple Remedy ($36 - Sephora).

I didn't want to wear a ton of make up today so I filled in the few blemishes I had with Josie Maran's Argan Creamy Concealer Crayon in Fair 1 ($20 - Sephora) (the first one in the picture below) because I'm as white as bleached snow.  As a matter of fact when I bought this the salesperson (I still don't know if man or woman as they were not gender specific) shouted, "YOU'RE SO WHITE!!!"

I then blended these with my BeautyBlender ($20 - Sephora) puff and a tiny bit of Rimmel's BB Cream Matte ($6 - Walgreens) just to pull it all together.  I must say I never got the hype of why someone would spend $20 on a beauty blender when you can get what I thought were dupes at the drugstore for $5.  Spend the money.  It is totally worth it.  Put a little bit of water on it, squeeze it out and it is brilliant.  My face looked like I had perfect skin.  I could not believe it.  It even covered the  red area where I burst a blood vessel projectile vomiting one night.  Another story for another time.  FauxPrah ain't perfect ya'll.

Rimmel BB Cream Matte

The Original BeautyBlender

Next I selected the following in my make up collection.  First I selected what has quickly become my favorite eye shadows, L'Oreal's Infallible® 24 HR Eye Shadow  ($8 - Walgreens) in amber rush.  It is a gorgeous rose gold color that I feel would likely go well with most skin tones.  Note sometimes Walgreens has Buy One Get One 1/2 Price sales for L'Oreal that are brilliant and when I stock up.

L'Oreal Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow - Amber Rush

This shadow does everything it claims.  The velvety texture doesn't fade and is waterproof.  You can either put it on as a basic sheer swipe or build the color.  The best thing is that you don't even need a brush (thought it is helpful) a finger will suffice.  Again L'Oreal is the high street version of high endYves Saint Laurent cosmetics as they are made by the same company so quality at a fraction of the price.  I finished it off with a subtle line on my upper lid with Rimmel London's Scandaleyes Liner in Brown ($4 - Ulta) and Pixi by Petra Large Lash Mascara - ($15 - Target) in bold black.  Rimmel London Scandaleyes rivals Nars, Urban Decay 24/7 and other high end cosmetics companies with this gel like eyeliner formula.  It completely blends so well and can create a tight line or smudge out for a smokey eye.  Otherwise, I forgot about this mascara and I was so pleasantly surprised.  It may now be my favorite.  It grabbed every lash and gave so much volume.

Pixi by Petra Large Lash Mascara

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Eye Liner

When I select what make up I wear each day I typically go by one of three things.  1. What I am wearing, 2. My eye color or 3. My lip color.  Since I selected this color I selected Nars Super Orgasm Illuminator ($30 - Sephora).  Nars is easily my favorite and go to cosmetic company and this is one of the reason's why.  They released orgasm blush years ago and it is consistently on beauty faves lists year after year.  The color is the perfect flush.  It was to meant to mimic that after glow of... well... you know.  Super Orgasm was more of a fall peachy color that went brilliantly with this shadow.  I used the squeeze tube version as this color comes in various mediums.  Also with this, a dab will do you.  It will last you forever.

I finished off the look with Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine in #11 Beige Instinct ($36 - Sephora).  It is a lovely neutral tone that finished off this rosy and dewy look.

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine in #11 Beige Instinct

I know I mentioned earlier that L'Oreal is the same company as YSL, however this is the one product that I use of YSL that I cannot find the L'Oreal counterpart.  Much like the First Aid Beauty Triple Duty Eye, I stand behind this price point.  It is absolute luxury in beautiful packaging.  

Now that I look not dead I did need to detract from the fact that I was in fact wearing what I wore to bed that night which was yoga pants and a white t-shirt.  I threw on a white zip up Under Armour hoody and paired it with a Saints NFL Infinity Scarf ($20 - Groupon).  Catastrophe averted again.  I look somewhat like I planned this.  How do I keep doing this.

NFL Saints Infinity Scarf (Upper Right Hand Corner)

So Iris and I had our lovely brunch where we discussed many important subjects like ladies who brunch do and planned an exciting new venture.  FauxPrah & Friends video blog.  Stay tuned!!!

*Please note that all prices are rounded up and based on a price I saw on the internets!!!  You might find it cheaper.  If you do, please post where in comments.

FUCK I'M LATE!!! Favorite Products to Keep Me From Looking Like a Psychopath

As I have explained this idea came from a party I host annually each holiday for my lady friends.  Inspired by Oprah we bring our favorite things (under $30) as a gift.  We drink, we laugh, we eat and mostly we are horribly crass.  I also have a love of watching favorite's video blogs.  The only difference is they are generally done by girly girls and that I am not nor are my friends.  They tend to be just real women.  I also just love products and my dream job would be testing said products and giving my opinion.  So here you  go.  It has manifested as this blog.

So I thought I would start this off with a bang and with a list of favorites that get me going on a morning where I am running late (most days) and why I like them.

I am a olympic caliber shower taker, however there are things that I do and products that I use that help this a great deal probably the most recent and my favorite is Nivia In-Shower Body Lotion.  It smells delicious like roses.  You simply slather it on after bathing and then rinse it off.  You significantly cut time as it is much quicker than lubing up after your shower.

Nivea - In Shower Body Lotion  $6 at Target

L'OREAL HAIR CARE

So I can't stand to go to work with dirty hair.  I usually will take the time to wash it even if it means taking a bit of extra time to blow dry.  A recent find has made this process much quicker.  L'Oreal's  Blow Dry It - Quick Dry Primer Spray.  It really does cut dry time.  I love it.

Should I be running really late though L'O'real comes through once again with their Advanced Hairstyle Blow Dry It Long Wear Spray.  It is my favorite dry shampoo and just like it's predecessor, it smells delicious.  

With both being $4 each at Target, this is a steal.

L'Oreal as a matter of fact has hit it out of the park recently with their new line of hair care in my opinion.  It smells delicious and just puts you in a great mood.  I have very fine, color treated hair, but they appear to have products for all hair types

L'Oreal Paris Hair Care

My bath gel doesn't necessarily speed anything up, but this is my new favorite.  Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex.  It is so yummy.  Late days I just do the gel, but when I can the sugar scrub and oil is divine.  It smells like delicious and rich berries.  Very high end smell, but you can pick this gem up at Target, Ulta, among I'm sure many other places.  Bath Gel: $9, Bath Oil: $10, Hand & Body Scrub: $10, Body Lotion: $9, & Bar Soap: $6 all at Target.

While generally I prefer to use my Clarisonic to clean my face, when in a hurry I just reach for Aveeno Positively Ageless Resurfacing Scrub.  It exfoliates and cleans beautifully and like it says gives your face a more even tone.  A steal at $7 at Target.

After jumping out and drying off I quickly slather on Sephora Liquid Moisturizing Skin Concentrate.  It boasts to be a liquid moisturizer with the power of a serum and the lightness of a toner.  It prepares skin to absorb moisturizer and improves skin's moisture levels by 25%.  I don't know about that figure but I can say it definitely has improved the moisture and texture of my skin.  At $22 it is well worth the price.  I follow up with a moisturizer.  Recently it has been Oil of Olay Regenerist Moisturizer.

So essentially all the above just gets me to smelling good, now to the not zombie part.  Now I'm not adverse to no make up but I tend to have very prominent bone structure which adds to a bit of a gaunt look on some occasions, especially when tired and dehydrated which is pretty much all of the time so here are my go to's in order of importance.  The further down this list I can get the more alive I look, but in order this pulls me further and further from looking like this.

(Nothing but love for Iggy - Another of my favorites.)

So onto make up.  Probably the one thing that can bring me from the brink is First Aid Beauty - Eye Duty Triple Remedy.  It does what it says.  The pink formula brightens and conceals dark circles, the metal applicator helps to depuff and otherwise the product smooths out your eyes.  At $36 at Sephora it is a little pricey but is so well worth the dolla bills ya'll.

Next is mascara.  It tends to wake your eyes up more than anything.  Lately I have been obsessed with Rimmel's Scandaleyes Rockin' Curves Mascara.  It thickens, lengthens and its curvy little brush gets to all of those hard to reach lashes.  I love it.  Inexpensive and as good as any high end mascara.  $6 at Target.

Now I have every type of concealer possible, but typically I keep L'Oreal's Magic Lumi Highlighter in my purse.  For those in the know, L'Oreal is the same company as Yves Saint Laurent.  This highlighter while not quite as good as YSL's Touche Eclat Concealer, it is pretty darn close.  It is super easy to apply and though I shouldn't every now and again you will find me using this at a stop light.  At a price of $12.95 vs. YSL's $42 price tag, it can't be beat.

For the rest I apply Soap & Glory's Sexy Mother Pucker Extreme Plump Gloss at $22.  It is kind of pricey but one of the only lip plumpers that you can feel working and doesn't sting.  Think of buzzing on your lips.  It is perfection.  I offset that cost with a $3 e.l.f. studio long lasting lustrous eyeshadow in light pink that I sweep across my eyelid with my finger and $7 for NYX Cosmetics Cream Blush in NATURAL, again that I sweep across my cheeks with my fingers.  All three give a very natural look.  Not made up, but rather refreshed.  I then sweep another costly $39 across my brow bone and cheekbone to give myself a refreshed and dewy look with Nars: Copacabana Multiple.  It is meant to be used on eyes, lips and as a highlighter, but I have found it works quickly and brilliantly as a highlighter only.  Very convenient also to throw in your purse.

Most of these items can be applied with your fingers which is yet another reason they are great on the run.  Throw them in your purse and go.

 Elf Eye Shadow

 NYX Cream Blush

 Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker

Nars: Copacabana Multiple

Lastly if I get the chance I use an old M.A.C. powder brow filler.  

It came with a brush so you don't need to have a big brush.  I don't think M.A.C. makes the powder brow filler anymore but you can get similar ones from Benefit (Brow Zings) for $32 or even cheaper from e.l.f. studio eyebrow kit for $3.  I do love the Benefit kit because it comes with a handy tiny tweezers.  And voila!  You are good to go.  This is not a full make up but a lot of cheats to quickly get you out the door.

e.l.f. studio eyebrow kit

Benefit (Brow Zings)