#SouthernSummerMakeUp - Lips

http://funastrology.tumblr.com/post/93143922446/zodiac-with-makeup

I'm obsessed with lipstick. I love bright, saturated colors. If I'm running late, I throw on sunglasses and lipstick. it instantly pulls you together. And nothing fixes a bad day light a bright red lipstick. (Besides wine but that's neither here nor there.) Check out some of my faves:

Lips by rulesforbelles featuring lips makeup

Stila lipstick / Yves Saint Laurent makeup / COVERGIRL lipstick / Maybelline lips makeup / Nars cosmetic, $33 / MAC Cosmetics lipstick / Moisturizing lip stain / Lipstick Queen lips makeup / NARS Cosmetics lip gloss / Revlon pink lipstick / Rimmel eye makeup, $6.78

Day - I absolutely love Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine in Bel-Ami. This is one of the most perfect everyday lip colors I've ever come across. It's subtle and moisturizing. And smells like Chanel No. 5. I love it. A more fun take on the everyday lip is Lipstick Queen's Hello Sailor. It looks blue but goes on a berry color that is a perfect match to your skin tone. Added bonus- it makes your teeth look whiter!! One of my new favorites is Yves Saint Laurent's Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres Glossy Stain in 27- Peche Cerra-Cola. I've only had this one for about a week but it's quickly becoming one of my favorites. It's the perfect color for summer!

Night - Going out is the perfect time to get a little adventurous with your lip color. Whether it's drinks with the girls or date night, I love love love getting dolled up- my go to look is a cat-eye and crazy lips!

-Because I'm a brunette, I wear a lot of berry tones. My favorites are: MAC's Rebel (drug store dupe- Milani's Sangria), Covergirl's Tempt, Revlon's ColorStay Ultimate Suede in Backstage.

-Every girl need's a go to red lip- mine are Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso and Nars' Semi Matte Lipstick in Red Lizard. The Stila is a true red and the Nars is a bit deeper. Both are great but applying the Stila does take a bit of practice. I definitely suggest applying a lip liner first.

-Crazy, vibrant pink is so fun for girl's night. Nars' Lip Gloss in Priscilla. This shocking pink is the perfect "adult" gloss- it goes on evenly but lasts for hours (but if you're not a big fan of gloss, they have this shade in the semi matte lip stick). A good drug store alternate is Revlon's ColorStay Moisture Stain in Barcelona Nights.

Nude - If I wear a smokey eye or decide against one of the above day lips, I'm alllllllllll about a nude lip. I'm obsessed with MAC's Myth. It's semi matte and long-lasting. I can't stop wearing it. I pair it with MAC's Lip Pencil in Stripdown. Revlon's Colorburst Lip Stick in Soft Nude 070 is a pink-er nude. L'Oreal's Colour Caresse by Colour Riche in Sheer Linen is another one of my absolute favorites. It applies like a lip stick but feels more like a gloss. It's so easy and simple- I never go anywhere without having this in my purse. Maybelline's Color Sensational Lipstick in Nude Lust is a shade or two darker than Myth but is a very similar formula. Good to have options, right? (Tip- Rimmel's Scandaleyes Kohl Liner in Nude is obviously intended to be used to line your eyes but I use it to line my lips after applying a bold color. Not only does it even out the line but it makes your lips look bigger too!)

I'm sure there are literally hundreds of amazing lipsticks, stains and glosses that I've left out but these are all products that I have used/still use and can attest to how much I love them.

What are your "can't leave the house without it" lip colors/sticks/stains/glosses??

Enjoy!
-C. xx.

#SouthernSummerMakeUp - Foundation

So yesterday I told y'all about my favorite Primers & Setters for surviving steamy Southern summers.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kristinchirico/go-home-eyeliner-youre-drunk

Now on to the foundations. I probably experiment the most here. I have very oily skin so I've tried every form of foundation you can imagine. Here are my favorites. Especially for summer.

Summer Foundation Solutions by rulesforbelles featuring Urban Decay

Bare escentuals skin care / Urban Decay beauty product, $46 / Urban decay cosmetic / Tarte foundation / Benefit foundation / Bare Escentuals matte foundation / Benefit makeup primer, $42 / Tarte translucent face powder / Tarte concealer

1. Tarte - I love this because it is a mineral formula but it gives full coverage. It doesn't feel like it, though, which is very important when it's 105 degrees outside. It has Amazonian clay (or something like that) in it to eliminate shine? I don't know. But the powder is amazinggggg.

2. Bare Minerals - This is my tried and true standard. I keep the liquid and the powder on hand, depending on the amount of coverage I'm looking for. These two are my current foundation staples.

3. Naked Skin - Ok y'all. This stuff is amazing. It's not as full coverage as the two above but I absolutely love it. It feels great on. It's super blendable and probably the most buildable of all four. Overall, I loved using this product and will definitely buy it again.

4. Benefit - This is what I want to try next. I've never used it but I've heard SO many good things about this foundation. Lightweight. Blendable. Oil-free. Perfect for summer in the South.

So there you have it. Next week, I'll post the Eyes and Lips selections. Get excited!

-C. xx.

#SouthernSummerMakeUp- Prime & Set

Living in the South is the absolute best. We wouldn't trade it for the world. There are, however, some struggles that go along with living in God's country... like how to keep your face from melting off in the height of the summer.

http://www.thegloss.com/2013/07/26/beauty/makeup-tutorial-heatproof-hair-makeup-techniques/

Now, let's get this out of the way from the get go- I am not a beauty blogger/vlogger/expert/artist/etc. I'm just a girl that has lived in South Carolina her whole life who spends way too much money at Sephora. So while I don't any expert tips to give y'all, I have some advice based on what I use. Use at your own risk :)

Prime & Set by rulesforbelles featuring a smashbox makeup primer

Smashbox makeup primer / Revlon face makeup / ELF Cosmetics loose face powder, $12 / Face powder, $12 / Laura Mercier face powder

Primers- I go through stages with primers. I have used probably a dozen different primers but right now when I put on a "full face," I use the Smashbox. If it's just a regular, simple day, I use the Revlon and go. What primer you use isn't the most important thing, it's just that you USE a primer.

Setting powder- I know a lot of people use Make Up Forever or MAC's finishing powder. I can't tell a difference between these $35 powders and ELF's $6 powder... but that's just me. I have a lot of girlfriends who swear by Laura Mercier but I haven't tried it. I swear by Ben Nye's Luxury Powder. It's something I discovered when I was doing theatre in college. It's what Disney Princesses use in the Florida heat.... just saying.

Setting spray- I do not leave the house without a few sprays of this stuff. I'm serious. It's an absolute necessity. If you take one bit of advice from this post, buy the setting spray.

Flower Children

So if you haven't been paying attention, I freaking  L O V E  flower crowns. Seriously. I don't think that I'm having a "hippie" moment, per se, but I really really really love the idea of working in the super fun festival look that's been so big this summer into everyday wear. (Besides, if it's good enough for Harry, it's good enough for y'all.)

http://www.cambio.com/2014/02/01/happy-birthday-harry-styles-20-of-our-favorite-harry-gifs/

But as much as I love the hippie/flower crown craze, I will forever be deeply Southern at heart. It's hard for me to commit to a full-on "festival" look. They always just seem a little left of "put together" and that's just not something that my Mama raised me with being ok with doing.

I mean, do you want to look like a dirty hippie? 

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/331225747567600740/

Enter my friends at Rich Girl Rags. I fell in love with them over their Among Wildflowers Look Book. They just get how to do classic, Southern prep with a twist- something every Modern Magnolia knows and loves.

http://www.pinterest.com/richgirlrags/among-wildflowers/

I feel like I've been super selfish by not posting about this for y'all sooner... soz. We got it taken care of now :)

Just check out these fabulous pictures below and then head over to www.richgirlrags.com and shop shop shop.

I don't know that I'm ready for a floral romper yet but that maxi is callingggg my name.  

Wannnnnt this top. W.A.N.T.

That back y'allllllll. 

I mean, HOW FUN right?? Slowly but surely, the Rich Girls are infiltrating my all black wardrobe and adding really bright, fun colors and patterns. It's wild and I kind of love it. I mean, it's never too early to start outfit planning for Music Midtown, am I right?

Annnnnd not only does Harry approve but Lana does too. Get it y'all. 

Head over to www.RichGirlRags.com to shop all these super fun looks!

Peace & blessings, flower children. Peace & blessings.

-C. xx. 

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/331225747567600707/

#FourthOfJuly - Music for America

http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinchack/america-fuck-yeah

http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinchack/america-fuck-yeah

#FourthOfJuly - Red, White & Blue Sangria

When I think of a go-to summer drink, my thoughts immediately go to SANGRIA. Fruit, wine and even some vodka? Sign. Me. Up. It’s the perfect drink you can enjoy on the beach, by the pool, in your house with the AC on blast… however you spend your summer days in the south!

http://thisismoscatolife.com/2014/01/25/25-signs-that-suggest-you-may-be-drinking-too-much-wine/

Plus, you get some nutrients from the fruit intake, right?

And the best part of it is you make a big batch at a time for you to enjoy all by yourself share with friends!

Make a festive 4th of July sangria with this “Red, White and Blue Sangria” recipe. Drink responsibly, ladies!

Ingredients

• Two 750 ml bottles of white wine
• 1 cup triple sec
• ½ cup berry-flavored vodka
• ½ cup fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup ginger ale
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Red apple slices

Instructions

1. Prep fruit by washing and slicing/chopping to desired sizes.
2. Mix all ingredients together in a pitcher. Chill well before serving.

Enjoy, y’all!

Sara

For more recipes, visit: www.saytheblessing.com

#FourthOfJuly - Grilled Corn Salad

http://drinkt0forget.tumblr.com/post/26496508108/happy-4th-of-july

Are you going to a 4th of July BBQ? Southern etiquette 101: don’t show up to a party empty-handed. Bring this perfect summer side dish to impress the hostess!

Another tip for you, go to Dollar Tree/Dollar General and get a serving bowl there. That way you don’t have to worry about getting it once the party ends and the hostess doesn’t have to worry about cleaning it and returning it back to you.

Don’t underestimate the cute things you can get from a dollar store.

http://thewanderlustress.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/12-im-on-a-budget.gif

Ingredients

• 5 ears of corn
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 3-4 limes
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. grill seasoning or paprika
• 1/2 cup feta cheese
• 1 avocado

Instructions

1. Remove husks and silk off corn, brush on olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
2. Grill on medium-high grill for about 10 minutes, turning frequently until grill marks appear on all sides.
3. Remove from grill, place corn on in bowl and run your knife down each side removing the kernels from husk. I like using a bowl vs. a chopping block or plate because the bowl usually captures all the flying kernels!
4. In a serving bowl, add the juice of three to four limes and 1/2 cup of olive oil, cumin, and your favorite grill seasoning. If you don't have grill seasoning on hand, paprika works just as well to bump the heat up a notch. Mix well.
5. Stir in diced avocado, halved tomatoes, corn kernels, and top with feta cheese.

Notes

Can be served warm, cold, or room temperature.

Enjoy, y’all!

Sara

For more recipes, visit: www.saytheblessing.com