Super Skincare and Glorious Glosses

You know how you picture something in your head, and then you get it in real life, but your imagination was better? This happens so often with makeup. A company launches an exciting new product, I get a sample, and am so let down.

But, every so often, companies launch new product lines that surpass expectations.

Here are two launches, one skincare and one makeup, that blew my mind in a great way.

Glossier The Supers

Whether your purchase one serum or all three, you will not be disappointed. These serums work, and their price is on point - $28 each or all three for $65. Not sure which one to pick? Think about skincare like vitamins: sometimes you need more vitamin C if you're sick or iron if you're tired. Likewise, you can use serums to combat different issues on a case-by-case basis or to address a specific concern daily.

The Super Bounce is for a hydration boost (something to think about now that we're headed into colder months), Super Glow is brightening, and Super Pure is for angry, irritated skin. Another option is to add a few drops of your preferred serum into your moisturizer to create a killer night cream. Use this link to get 20% off your first purchase (which does give me a small kickback - thank you!).

NARS Velvet Lip Glide

Never a fan of liquid lipsticks no matter how many I've tried, I didn't even know this was technically a liquid lipstick. I thought it was a matte lip gloss. But, like the website states, this product truly "glides like a gloss, cloaks like a lipstick - and feels like nothing else." Holy wow. It feels like a satin lipstick; while it is matte, it doesn't feel dry and flaky, and it applies like a gloss. My favorite colors are Stripped, a nude, and Unlaced, a light pink. So yummy, definitely check these out.

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Images c/o NarsCosmetics.com, MarieClaire.com and IntoTheGloss.com

Finger Painting

The other day I was running out the door when I realized that, after their monthly bath, none of my brushes were dry. So I used the original makeup brushes, my fingers.  Disclaimer: like many of my posts, this was unplanned, which means I was literally in a rush to get out the door (hence the curlers) and I was literally applying my makeup in my bedroom while trying to snap photos with my iPhone (hence the really poor quality).  We're all about keepin' in real real here at Electra Lane. While this isn’t enough color for me for The Work Appropriate, it would work for those who want a clean, low-maintenance everyday routine (it’s my perfect Minimalist).  I started by smoothing on tinted moisturizer (Glow), then I added a little cream blush (Anguilla) and blended upward

I took a liquid concealer darker than my skin (Amande) and dotted it on the sides of my nose and under my cheekbones, then blended back and up into the blush

Next, I took that same concealer, but in a shade lighter than my skin (Vanilla), and patted it under my eyes, around my nose and mouth, and in the center of my forehead and down the center of my nose.

This is where we are so far:

For my eyes, I added a thick line of warm brown eyeliner (Costa Riche) to the top lash line and just the outer corners of the bottom lash line and smudged gently with my ring finger

I filled in (Taupe) and set (Clear) my eye brows

Then added a brightener just to the inner corners of my eyes

Next, I curled my lashes and applied mascara (Blackest Black)

And added a little gloss (Bellini)

Finally, to set everything, I used a few spritzes of setting spray

Refinery29 wrote an article about no-brush makeup, and a new line, called Nudestix, has capitalized on the technique, so that might be a great option for those who want an ever quicker and easier routine. HRH Wayne Goss does a lovely demo and review of that line here.