Red lip classic thing that you like.

I love winter. Winter is the season of red lipstick, in my opinion. It was one of my new year's resolutions to make it more than a "one season" color for me. Trying out all different shades has been half the fun, but I've found the lip color that rules over my heart. It's the lip color tint I introduced you to in my previous post. It's turning out to be one of my favorite Christmas gifts. A little goes a long way and stays on for a much longer amount of time than my lipsticks. It's not sticky and my favorite part - it doesn't feel like I have anything on. Perfect!

I like classic looks. I love pairing a bold lip with a neutral eye. Here are some pictures from my makeup look for church on Sunday - featuring my new favorite lip color!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Yes, I'm a little late. But as I said earlier, I'm in the middle of moving out. Once everything has calmed down (probably around February), I'm going to start posting much much more. Makeup looks, outfit looks, product reviews, etc. My resolution is to post more and that's a resolution I'm going to keep (I'm putting it in writing on the blog, so I pretty much have to keep it now to avoid looking like an absolute idiot). What resolutions are you guys making for 2015?

Also, most importantly, what kind of things would YOU like to see on the blog? It would help out and inspire Summer and I so much to hear what things you guys are interested in.

If you have any beauty resolutions for 2015, post them below. We'd love to hear them!

Have a great weekend. X

Christmas Goodies!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season this year.

This year has been wonderful and insanely busy for me. I'm starting a new season of my life in just a few weeks ... I'm moving out on my own! I've been crazily shopping for the perfect pieces of furniture in IKEA and countless vintage thrift shops. Most of my money has been going toward that - so my makeup (and concert) addiction has taken a serious hit! I've been cutting many, many corners. So, I haven't felt like many of my looks or reviews have been worthy of posting.

This Christmas, though, I received some new goodies I've been dying to try. I haven't tried them all yet, but I'm looking forward to trying everything for New Year's Eve.

Here are my Christmas makeup goodies:

Things I asked for  - 

Benefit High Brow Glow

As you know from previous posts, I adore Benefit's High Brow pencil. I've purchased it multiple times. But I never branched out to try the Glow version of this makeup staple. This year I put it on my Christmas list and I'm so glad my mom decided to buy it for me. I tried this first thing on Christmas day. I don't know if I'll say that I love it more than the original high brow. But it's definitely a nice option to have when I'm wanting to add a little more shimmer. . 

NARS Illuminator in Copacabana

I haven't tried this yet, but it was one of the top reviewed I found while researching highlighters! Is this a "must" in your beauty routine?

NARS Virtual Domination Cheek Palette

I saw this on Sephora's website and immediately added it to my list. Too pretty not to, right? So far I've only tried the Miss Liberty Highlighting Blush Powder and Laguna bronzer. A++ in my book. I'm sure I'll love the blushes, too!

Things I didn't ask for - 

I love getting new beauty items that I haven't asked for nor ever heard of. It adds that element of fun to Christmas and it's always a nice surprise ... especially with these four products. LOVE.

Mirenesse Mattfinity Lip Rouge

Oh. My. Gosh. This stuff is amazing. That's all I can say. I don't know if I'll ever wear my red lipsticks ever again. Just try it. She also got it from Birchbox. Do any of you subscribe to that? Is it worth it? I'd love to hear some more opinions before I fork over the cash and commitment to feed my beauty addiction.

Tory Burch Rollerball

This is my first Tory Burch product. Ever. My cousin got me hooked on J.Crew and Kate Spade ... now add Tory Burch to the list! This perfume is now my all-time favorite. 

Lush Dragon's Egg Bath Bomb

Alright. I'll admit it. I've never been to Lush before. My best friend and future roommate got me this bath bomb from them. Everyone raves about them so I'm really excited to try this! In my current home, I don't have a bath tub. But in my new home, I do. So props to my bestie for her creativity. I'm looking forward to trying it.

Lush So White Shower Gel

So, I don't have a bathtub. But I do have a shower. So I tried this on Christmas morning. Funny thing is - I ordered this online for my Mom for Christmas based on the reviews. It smells amazzziiinnnggg and my skin feels just as amazing after using it. My mom 100% agrees. I will definitely be visiting and spending too much money in a Lush store very, very soon.

Merry Christmas to me (my gift to myself) - 

And now for the grand finale ...

Custom Makeup Vanity Mirror 

I sent my dimensions to this etsy seller. So mine will be 40x42 and a white matte color to match my white IKEA dressing table. HUGE. And I am so so so so excited. It's been a lifelong dream of mine to have a huge Hollywood-ish mirror like this. I will definitely post the pictures when I receive the mirror and install it in my new home. Y'all are going to die and obsess over this project when it's done. I'm already obsessed and it's not even here yet.

This new makeup station will definitely inspire more looks and more posts!

Cheers to 2015!

What did you all get for Christmas and the holidays? What did you get for yourself?

Isla and the Happily Ever After - Bookish Nails!

As most of you know, I recently started a book blog which has become extremely successful in a short amount of time. Since I havent had much time to blog here, on Groupie Glam, I decided that I should start combining my posts! I recently read the most amazing series by Stephanie Perkins and the books were SOOO GOOD that I thought, why not use these books as my first inspiration for a nail design. The ombre on all 3 of these covers are so beautiful and it was really hard to decide which to do first. After debating it for a while I decided to just go with which book I enjoyed the most! Isla and the Happily Ever After won out because the characters were extra adorable. 

Ill post the next few designs in the coming weeks. Do you guys have any suggestions on which books you would like me to interpret onto my nails?!! leave suggestions in the comments!

My Makeup Prep Routine

Skincare is extremely important when it comes to your makeup routine. Using the right products not only helps keep your skin healthy, but it gives your makeup a photo-finished look!

I've suffered from acne all of my life and I've been working really hard to keep up a great skincare routine. I have tried many, many products from both the doctor and my local drugstore. 

Here is my current pre-makeup routine that I'm quite pleased with:

1. Aveeno Positively Radiant Targeted Tone Corrector: $13.59 at Ulta.

This is the newest addition to my skincare routine. I received this product from an Influenster Vox Box and I was beyond impressed with the results. Aveeno is a great brand in my book! My dermatologist recommended it to me years ago. 

I have a lot of acne scars on my face, so this product has significantly helped with the overall tone and evenness of my skin. I apply it to my uneven spots on my skin right after I finish washing my face. It leaves my skin silky smooth and also has been a great help with the overall appearance. When my sample runs out, I will be running out to the store to buy some more. Give it a try! You won't regret it. 

2. CVS Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15: $9.99 at CVS

If there's one thing I learned from years at the dermatologist office, it's that SPF and moisturizer are your best friends! A SPF moisturizer will help keep your skin looking fresh and protect you from damage from the sun. Even on a day when I don't have much time in front of the bathroom mirror, I always always always apply my moisturizer. 

I go between three different brands ... depending on how well I'm doing on my budget that week. Right now I'm using a CVS brand. Usually, I like to go for something with a higher SPF, but I've been trying to cut corners lately in my wallet. This CVS brand has been pretty comparable to my other favorite brands on the splurging side: Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 ($17.49 at CVS) and Cetaphil Daily Moisturizer SPF 50 ($13.79 at CVS).

You can't go wrong with one of these brands!

3. Ponds Luminous Finish BB+ Cream: $9.99 at Target

Ugh, can I tell you how much I'm in love with this stuff? Like I said before, I have a good amount of acne scars that I'm trying to lighten up. I told my mom I wanted a good BB+ cream and she came home from Target one day and surprised me with this. Best mom award! This stuff is a lifesaver when it comes to evening out my skin tone! Before I started using Aveeno's Tone Corrector, I could have sworn this actually helped with my acne scars as well.

When I first started using it, I broke out for a good two weeks. It was not fun. But I just kept on using this in my daily routine and before I knew it, my skin and makeup were both looking fabulous! I've tried pleeeennntyyy of BB+ creams but this one has become a staple! It really transforms my skin into a clean canvas for some makeup!

On days when I will only be leaving the house to go to the gym, I'll stop my makeup routine right after applying this. It's perfect under your makeup, but also perfect if you want to keep it light on a low-key day.

4. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 15: $52.00 at Sephora

I was a diehard Smashbox primer enthusiast until I came across this Hourglass primer. I had to try it out after the sales associate at Sephora gushed over it. I'm usually too trusting of sales associates, but luckily the associates at my Sephora are honest and have completely freakin' awesome taste in product. 

There's nothing like a good primer to make your skin feel silky smooth before applying your makeup! Give this one a try if you have a little extra money to spend. Or better yet, if you're a Beauty Insider, maybe you'll be lucky enough to snatch up one of these samples the next time you're at the checkout counter!

Let us know what products you like to use as you prep for your makeup application! Have you tried any of these?