Drugstore Beauty Loves

Last month, I shared my favorite high-end beauty picks, so this month, I have to share my drugstore must-haves.  When it comes to makeup and skincare, the price isn't as much of a factor as weather or not it works.  These three are definitely top-of-the-line quality, and they prove that inexpensive does not always equal cheap.

Maybelline MasterShape Brow Pencil

I've tried the Brow Wiz and the new Brow Definer, both by Anastasia Beverly Hills and both lauded as the best on the market.  While they are amazing, this brow pencil is exceptional.  Unlike other drugstore options, you don't have to press down to get the appropriate amount of pigment, and the formula is just waxy enough that a brow gel isn't necessary.  I'm more of a brow powder girl, so maybe I don't notice the nuanced differences among the three pencils mentioned, but, and especially after you factor in the price and the fact that it has a spoolie brush on the other end,  this pencil is all I ever need.

NYX Butter Gloss

I've gone on and on about how insanely good these glosses are, so here's the recap: the color range is perfect,  the formula is creamy and smells like cake, and it wears down to a gorgeous sheer finish even after a two-hour physical therapy session while I was drinking lots of water - all while moisturizing your lips.  They're available online, at Ulta, and at Target.

Thayers Natural Remedies Alcohol-Free Toner

Until about six years ago, I never used a toner.  Now, however, I don't feel like my skincare routine is complete without it.  A good toner will balance your skin and prep it for the next layers of product - but the problem was finding a good toner.  I tried several different varieties until being beyond pleased with this one from Whole Foods, but it's also at many retailiers and Amazon.  What's great is that there are several different varieties to choose from for whatever you skin needs.  You can also fill a little spray bottle to mist yourself throughout the day.

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Another pick is Maybelline mascaras.  I know the industry-favorite is L'Oreal Voluminous, but that tends to be dry and flaky on me.  Enjoy your week, and check YouTube on Friday for a glamorous Friday Flash!

Earned It

While I am not affiliated with or sponsored by any of the beauty products I feature, I do receive a professional makeup artist discount on several of my favorite brands. There are a few items that I've found, though, on which I do not get a discount, and they are worth every penny.  And they cost a lot of pennies.  For me, the La Mer The Treatment Fluid Foundation, the YSL Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Lipstick SPF 15, and the Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum are are game-changers, and I'm so excited to share why I think they've earned their price tags.

La Mer The Treatment Foundation

At $85, one would expect this to be a miracle product.  It is...IF it's right for your skin.

Before you get mad at me, remember that the best foundations out there - the ones you continuously hear about being used on red carpets (like Armani Luminous Silk) - are very sheer.  Real talk?  If you want everything on your skin covered up, you must use a full-coverage foundation, and it will be very noticeable.  I always say that there's no such thing as good makeup without good skin, and if you want the best skin you can have, you MUST drink lots of water, keep sugar/dairy (which is sugar)/processed foods at a minimum, and have a proper skin care routine.  It's science.  Some people will have better skin than you, but some will have worse skin than you.  Embrace what you have because no amount of makeup will make wrinkles/pimples/dullness/uneven skin go away.  Only caring for your skin and a healthy diet will do that.

Also (and if you're still with me...thanks), this product needs swatched in person because the shade range is very limited and has yellow undertones.  But that's why it works for me - I have a hard time finding a *perfect* match since my skin has so much yellow in it.

I can justify this purchase because not only it is perfect match, but the stuff that directly touches your skin is the best area to spend your dollars.  If this sounds like it would work for you, know that it is the perfect lightweight, long-wearing foundation for every day wear that positively makes skin  G L O W  while protecting it with lots of good-for-you ingredients and SPF 15.  Just 1/2 of a pump covers my whole face and somehow transforms my skin into a bright, alive, awake base for the rest of my makeup (which you can see here and in the photo below - and remember that I'm still recovering from surgery where my skin really took a hit).  This is also an excellent product for mature skin as it is so light and hydrating that it won't settle into creases.

I've used it for five years, and it's still my favorite.

YSL Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Lipstick SPF 15

This one took me a while to buy.  Years.  Because I absolutely could not justify the $37 price tag.  After reading and hearing and seeing so many success stories, I bit the bullet (no pun intended) and purchased this in the color 1 Nude Beige.  And after the first swipe, I sent one my BFFs a text talking about how life-changing this was. This color is magic.

At first glance, I was worried that I'd run out of product pretty quickly, but it is so pigmented that a quick swipe is all I needed for the next several hours.  I'm not going to claim this is super long-wearing - if you have lunch, it will mostly go away - but with properly prepped lips and no eating or drinking, you're golden.  Just like the beautiful packaging.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum

Remember all that ranting about a great skincare routine above?  This is one of the best additions to that routine I've found.  I've used a vitamin C serum for some time thanks to its gazillions of amazing properties (Goggle it), but the one I was using, the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, wasn't perfect.  As soon as my bottle was empty, I decided to try this - it exceeded expectations.

Since we're talking about price tags, the SkinCeuticals  serum sells for...wait for it...$162.  This one retails for $80, so that made me really happy.  Other wins: it doesn't really have a scent while SkinCeuticals smelled like hot dogs (so awful), it soaks into my skin so much quicker, the ingredients are better, and my skin is clearer and brighter.  So basically, it does everything my old serum did but much better - on my skin and my wallet.

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I'm like Noah from The Notebook - when I love something, I reaaaaally love it.  These are three of my forever loves, but I'm completely aware you might hate them.  And that's okay.  Because skincare and makeup is such an individualized thing.  Snap me (ElectraLane) or let me know in the comments section of Instagram (@ElectraLane) what your makeup and skincare loves are, and have a great week.

What I'm Thankful For - 2 of 2

Last week, I shared a few things I’m thankful for. Before I get to the rest, though, I want to take a moment to also share that next week's post will be the last for the year so I can gear up for 2016.  Next year will bring several big changes which I'll get to January (I'm NOT knocked up!), but they will force me to change up the blog's format a bit.  I'd like to stay in touch over the holidays and beyond, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook, as well as Periscope for live makeup demos - my handle is @ElectraLane on all formats. On to the favorites!

1. Bioderma

Makeup is awesome, but you have to take it off at some point.  Although I've tried many makeup-removing wipes, some Bioderma on a cotton pad thoroughly cleans my skin without any irritations or breakouts.  And as much as I wish I washed my face and did a mask every night, on the nights when this is all I can squeak out, I don't wake up with wrecked skin.

2. Chocolate Cake

I have a deep, undying love for chocolate.  So does my husband - he's the only person I know who loves chocolate as much as I do.  I eat a little piece of dark chocolate most days but, if I could, I would have a piece of chocolate cake with chocolate filling and chocolate frosting every day.  My favorite recipe is the Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Cake (unless you use something else for the filling, I highly recommend making a double batch of the frosting).  Serve with a giant glass of whole milk.

3. Candles from The Little Market

If you around 30, you might be slightly obsessed with Lauren Conrad from Laguna Beach and The Hills.  I've always felt like she and I could be friends...anyway, LC has an amazing company called The Little Market and its mission is "to empower women artisans to rise above poverty and support their families."  These candles smell incredible, they don't give me a headache, and they last: I've burned the one pictured above every day this month for about four hours each time, and it's still going.

4. Becca Cosmetics x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop Shimmering Skin Perfector

The thing that deters me from most illuminators is the fact you can see them, which defeats the purpose of creating a subtle, from-within glow.  At least for my skin tone, this is the perfect highlight because it’s light and sheer – until the light hits my skin.  It's also stunning on the shoulders and collar bone!  You can see it in action HERE.

5. Dr. Bronner’s Castile Liquid Soap

This is what I use for my monthly makeup brush bath – my favorite scent is almond - but it's also an incredible multi-purpose item for uses that range from washing your face to mopping your floors.

6. The Ivanka Trump Newsletter (sign up on the website)

This website, just over a year old, is unlike any other blog/website/etc. I've visited before - so much so that I've signed up to receive her weekly newsletter.  It's filled with advice and tips in a modern, upbeat and concise manner, and I actually look forward to it each week.  This week, Ivanka and her her team showed us what's in their work bags, aptly titled The Spill, so I was inspired to spill my own everyday bag in the upcoming Friday Flash (search Electra Lane Channel on YouTube, or follow THIS link on Friday).

7. Wayne Goss The Brow Set

Filling in your brows with an angle brush is like flying down a mountain filled with switchbacks in my 2010 Honda Civic.  Filling in your browns with with these bad boys is like taking the same switchbacks in a Lamborghini.

8. NARS Sex Appeal Blush

Ever the wordsmith, NARS also knows how to make flawless blushes.  Not one who likes to bring attention to my cheeks, I do love how much life a little flush brings to one’s face, so I’m glad to have finally found this.

9. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

The last thing you want is to wake up Christmas morning looking like Rudolph, so for that disgusting, cystic pimple that comes out of nowhere, I keep this on hand.  This stuff isn’t a miracle, but it’s the best product I’ve found that destroys the zit without drying out the skin around it.

10. Urban Decay All-Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

…or any of UD’s setting sprays.  Not only will this spray keep makeup in place throughout your New Year's Eve party, but it also gets rid of the heavy look of any powder sitting on the skin.

And, of course, I'm so thankful for you!  Best wishes for a lovely Thanksgiving, and I'll see you Friday on YouTube.

Photo credits:  4, 6, 8, 9

What I'm Thankful For - 1 of 2

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, at least in my opinion.  My husband and I celebrated our birthdays, we made it through Halloween and, now that Thanksgiving is in TWO WEEKS (!!!), we are officially in the holiday season. Since many folks do the Facebook “what I’m thankful for today” thing during November, I'm sharing some of my favorite beauty products - as well as some things that just make me smile (which is the best makeup!).

Before we start, as I normally post on Wednesday, the hubby and I took yesterday off to celebrate Veterans Day.  I want to give a sincere THANK YOU to him and to those who signed up to protect and defend this great country, as well as the families who carry on in the service member's absence - whether temporary or permanent. I'm forever grateful.

So here we go...

1. La Mer everything

Full disclosure: I used to work for La Mer.  I fell in love, and I fell hard.  It saved (and continues to save) my face, and I’ve even convinced my husband to use it.  Yes, it’s expensive, but I make it last all year.  Since I only get one set of skin, I am completely okay with getting my jeans from Target in favor of first-class skin care.

2. My Water Bottle

Though not technically skincare or makeup, I can’t tell you how big of a difference drinking a daily minimum of 64-oz. of water makes in my skin, and therefore my makeup.

3. NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss

I feel like this is the best all-around gloss on the market: cruelty-free, buttery texture, fantastic color range, smells divine, and costs $5.

4. Almay Makeup Eraser Sticks

You will always find these in my purse, at my makeup table, and with me on makeup jobs.  It’s a cotton swab filled with makeup remover, and it has saved me from smudges so many times. (Also great for making winged eyeliner even!)

5. theBalm Sexy Mama Powder

This stuff is the jam and, if more people knew about it, it would never stay on the shelf.  Full disclosure again: I worked for theBalm – but TRUST me, I follow the “if you don’t have anything nice to say keep your mouth shut” rule, and I don’t get sponsored by any of the brands I write about (yet!), but either way I’ll always keep it real.  Anyway, it’s incredible because even though it contains little oil-absorbing spheres, it doesn’t dry out my skin.  Also, it’s truly translucent: I buffed this onto the face of a woman with beautiful, espresso-colored skin, who was also very shiny, and she instantly looked airbrushed. Get this ASAP.

6. Weleda Skin Food

When I’m not bathing in rationing out my La Mer, I use this for moisturizer.  It's very hydrating, made with essential oils, and I think it smells like Sweet Tarts.

7. Armani Rouge D’Armani Lipstick in Beige 100

My perfect nude lip color to which I’ve been loyal for years.  It makes me feel powerful, pretty, and sexy, and it’s nude without making my lips disappear.

8. Yes to Carrots Cream Cleanser

This is such a whipped, delicious cleanser that leaves behind no icky residue.  And it smells so clean and fresh.  It's available at drugstores, it's good for you and the environment, and beats every high-end cleanser I've tried (except for La Mer's The Cleansing Oil...I mean...).  Occasionally I'll even do an in-shower spa-like treatment:  massage the cleanser into my skin, then rinse.  Next, I massage the product into my skin again but let it sit there until the very end of the shower, like a mask, and use either my Clarisonic or a wash cloth to gently buff it away.

9. My Doggies

As you might have seen in more than one Friday Flash, we have two beagles named Clark and Kent.  You can follow them on Instagram @TheSuperBeagles.  They're super cuddly and they don't bark much, but they do grunt like little piggies when they are really happy.  They're our best friends, they're family, and they have brought more joy into our lives than we can say!

10. Treat Beauty Lip Balm

Saw this jumbo tube o' balm on Kandee Johnson's YouTube Channel multiple times, so I ordered the Marshmallow flavor.  Holy wow. It's perfect.  So then I ordered the 3-pack.  And now they have holiday flavors which I'll also add to the collection.  Again, this is a good-for-you-and-the-environment product, so my three- and four-year-old nieces will get these in their Christmas stockings.

See you next week for the second installment!

(Photos c/o Lamer.com,  Amazon.com,  nyxcosmetics.com,  Drugstore.com,  thebalm.com,  Birchbox.com,  Beautezine.com,  Target.com,  and TreatBeauty.com)

Trick or Treat (Yo Self)

This weekend is HALLOWEEEEEEEN! As noted last year, I'm not the type who gets all fancy with the makeups on Halloween - some glitter and fake lashes make me happy.  I love Halloween because it's the official start of the Holiday Season, and I couldn't be more excited.

This year, I'll be a ballerina princess for two reasons: 1) who needs an excuse to dress up like a ballerina princess? and 2) I've been working with an amazing organization, called The Tutu Project, that helps men and women offset the costs associated with fighting breast cancer that aren't covered by insurance.  What's so remarkable about this organization is that one of the co-founders is still undergoing breast cancer treatment herself.  Check out the website and, if you feel compelled to donate (even $1 helps!), you can do that HERE.

And to see the ballerina princess makeup, be sure to follow me on Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook, all under ElectraLane!

So on to the tricks...

While I may not get all into Halloween glam, here are some videos showing those who do:

1. Kandee Johnson's Edward Scissorhands, Marilyn Monroe Painting, and all of her Everyday Disney Princesses are incredible inspirations, as well as her ideas for kids' costumes
2. Byrdie.com rounded up three lovely tutorials by MAC makeup artists
3. My favorite looks are those from makeup artist Shonagh Scott's #HappilyNeverAfter series.  You can follow her on Insta @ShowMeMakeup.

Finally, you should treat yourself to the new NARS Audacious Mascara.  It's the best mascara ever.  While in NYC, I stopped by the NARS store to pick up a tube, but they were sold out (because it's that good).  So the lady gave me a sample tube.

And it's mind-blowing.  You can see a demo HERE.

It's super black.  It coats every. single. lash.  It doesn't flake.  My lashes are still soft.  It's buildable without getting gunk-y or clumpy.  It's incredibly lengthening.  And, this is really important, when you're ready to remove it, it slides right off.  Perfection.

I hope you have a fun and safe Halloween!