Part 1: My Secrets for a Flawless Face

When I page through fashion magazines, I can't help but stare longingly at the amazing skin the models all have. Sure, I know they're airbrushed to "perfection." But wouldn't it be great if everyone's skin looked like that?

I personally have to fake it, as I have a little redness, suffer from occasional blemishes and have dark circles under my eyes more often than not. (Punishment for my night-owl tendencies.)

I've tried about a million foundations, from pressed powder to mineral to liquid to high-definition. But I recently discovered one that I'm totally loving: Clarins Skin Illusion Natural Radience Light Reflecting Foundation.

This past December, my mom and I were Christmas shopping at Nordstrom, when we were ambushed approached by a couple Clarins counter employees offering to refresh our makeup. I knew it would probably result in some sort of purchase on my part, because - let's be honest - I can't resist a sales pitch! And considering we were shopping for others, not ourselves, it may not be the most prudent use of our time. But, since Clarins is one of those lines I have little experience with, I gave in and we made our way over to the chairs.

The makeup artist used the Skin Illusion foundation on me and when she handed me the mirror to check out the final result, I was amazed at the coverage - because it felt like nothing was on my face! I enthusiastically purchased the foundation ($36 for 1 fl oz - not the most I've ever paid, but not the least, either) and home it went with me.

Here's why I love it ... It comes in a pump-style bottle, which helps keep things so much more sanitary and makes it easy to dispense exactly what you want - plus the bottle just looks really elegant with its shiny brass top. Also, it gives a beautiful, glowy look, yet it doesn't make you oily. Usually when I wear liquid foundation, by mid-day my face looks awfully oily (I have combo skin, but it leans more oily than normal). With this, it still just looks glowy, and a little blot is all I need. And, the color is a perfect match for me (I'm 107 Beige). It comes in nine colors, though only a few darker-toned shades -- which is a bit of a bummer. It also only has SPF of 10, but if you don't use a standalone sunscreen under your makeup, you should be!

All-in-all, it's a great foundation and a great buy. Clarins, you've made a believer out of this newbie!

What's your secret for a flawless face?

Also, watch for part 2 of this post, where I'll share my concealer secrets!

Winter Pick-Me-Up: A Pop of Color Only Chanel Can Give

This time of year, I start craving warm weather, beaches, cocktails with umbrellas in them. Pretty much everything you can't get in Chicago this time of year.

My pick-me-up? A bright, fun lip gloss in a color that just screams summer.

RIP, Sirop :(

My go-to brand is usually Chanel. For me, no one else does lip gloss quite like Chanel.  Scratch that ... no one does anything quite like Chanel. Their Glossimer line offers just enough color with none of the stickiness that I hate - and, without drying my lips out!

Sadly, my favorite I-belong-on-a-beach-not-in-a-snowstorm Glossimer shade, Sirop, was discontinued a while back. I easily went through three tubes of this between the day I discovered it and the day I went to the Chanel counter only to have my heart broken upon learning its fate.

Nakkar

Last year, I discovered a new fave in the 2011 Spring Collection - Nakkar. This is a beautiful strawberry-meets-coral shade with subtle gold shimmer. It instantly brightens my look, regardless of how gloomy the day is.

This year, I'm eyeing up Bagatelle, a bubble-gum pink shade with gold shimmer (love me some gold shimmer, apparently). Check it out at this site, Miss Natty's Beauty Diary, a fellow Chicago blogger.

In fact, I think I know what I'm doing this weekend. Because there are still 53 days until spring (and that's debatable in Chicago, for sure) and this girl needs a little pick-me-up!

What about you? What's your favorite winter pick-me-up product?

Ready, Set, Go!

Welcome!

I've been on a quite a hiatus since my last foray into beauty blogging, so I'm excited to back in the swing of things. But more importantly, I'm psyched to be able to share one of my biggest obsessions passions with you all!

This blog isn't going to be just about lip gloss, despite the name ... though when it comes to products I can't live without, lip gloss is No. 1. (So much so, I can't resist picking up a tube or two every time I head to Ulta/Sephora/any department store makeup counter. Will power and I don't get along.)

No, lip gloss is just the start. Makeup, hair, skincare ... If it's beauty-related, it's fair game. Heck, I may even dabble in a fitness post or two (because looking good is all-encompassing, right?).

Now, without further ado ... Let's do this!