Nail Time: Essie Nice is Nice Polish

As ya'll know I paint my nails A LOT and I have always loved lavender nails! About a month ago I wrote a post on Sally Hansen's Lovely Lilac polish....and while that was a good polish after about a month of having it the polish got really dry and thick and hard to apply. So my hunt for a new lavender polish began. I was at CVS and came across Essie and fell in love with the lavender color called "Nice is Nice".

It's a true lavender color that looks great on any skin tone! The formula is about a medium consistency which I like, not too thin and not too thick! It did take 3 coats to get is as opaque as a like but I'm picky and 2 coats is probably enough haha! Here is what it looks like on my hands....

I love this color and love thier polishes! Check out their new collection: Cocktail Bling online http://www.essie.com/ or in stores!

Love, Lipstick and Essie polish
Ashley

Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid Liner

I've always had a love/hate relationship with liquid liner! I love the way it looks but it was always really difficult for me to apply properly...until now!

I love Urban Decay products (duh) their shadows are really pigmented, their pencil liners last for days (literally) and this liquid liner is the most long lasting, easiest to apply liner I have EVER encountered! If you want to do some online shopping, and who doesn't these days, here is their website: http://www.urbandecay.com/ or you can also find their stuff at Sephora and Ulta.

First off I really like the packaging of this product. The "reinvented" the packaging and it is so much better! It is sleek and neat just way easier to apply the product. Next lets go over the color. The one I bought is in the shade "Perversion" which is a great inky black color! Which is perfect for smokey eyes or just every day wear! The brush, yes I said brush, is so small and thin you can get a variety of lines from really really thin to Twiggy thick. I really like that it is a brush applicator as opposed to the felt tip, I feel like the the felt tip ones hold a lot of product making a thin line impossible, I also for me it is really hard to work with a felt tip brush I have no idea why.
Lastly when it says "24/7" it means..24/7! This stuff STAYS like  nobody's buisness, it dries really fast and I wear it to school for 10 hours and at the end of the day it still looks like I first applied it! No smudging or budging!!

Although I really love Urban Decay products, if you are on a tight budget you might want to think twice...this liner was $18! Honestly (you guys know I'm honest) that is really the only con about their products but in my opinion it's worth it for a product like this! Go check out their stuff and tell me what you think :)

Love, Lipstick, and Liner
Ashley

IT'S VIDEO TUESDAY!

This weeks video is a makeup tutorial inspired by Hayley Williams in her video for Paramore's new single "Monster" If you haven't seen the video you can watch it below...

And here are some stills of what her makeup looks like

You can watch my take on this look on my YouTube channel

www.youtube.com/lipstickandleggings

Enjoy :)

Love, Lipstick and Paramore

Ashley

L'Oreal Voluminous False Lashes Mascara

Hi, my name is Ashley and I'm a serious mascara addict...no really....I have a problem! I am constantly on the serch for "the best" mascara!

I heard about this new one from L'Oreal (aka drugstore mascara gods) and snatched it up faster than Whitney Houston picks up her crack pipe.

It cost me $10 at Walgreens
I seriously think this is the best drugstore mascara EVER! With only one coat it makes my lashes look long and full and will the 3 coats I wear they look AMAZING!

The brush is almost triangle shaped with thick brushes at the base and thinner tapered bristles at the end. The thin bristles make it a lot easier to get into the corners of your eyes and your tiny lower lashes!

I love, love, love this stuff! And for only $10 you can't beat it!

Love, Lipstick, and Long Lashes!
Ashley

Halloween Nails!

This October I've decided to paint my nails a different Halloween theme every week!
I saw a tutorial on YouTube on a cute monster nail art tutorial! I painted them on my nails and here is how they look...I did a "pumpkin" (which looks more like an orange) because I didn't like the witch in the video....

If you want to watch the tutorial and get these cute nails for Halloween watch below :)

Enjoy and happy polishing!

Love, Lipstick, and Monster Nails
Ashley

Makeup Forever HD Foundation

Hey guys! Today I'm going to do a review on Makeup Forever's HD foundation!
I LOVE Makeup Forever! I have talked about their products before and I even posted a review on their HD Foundation Primer. So when we went to Houston I was in the market for a new foundation, I know I just got my Laura Mercier foundation but yeah....anyway....

I went to the Sephora store in Houston which is 20 times better than the one we have here and I talked to a makeup artist there and she was THE NICEST lady!! The girls here are bitches (excuse my language) so it was great to finally have someone that was helpful! She pointed me in the direction of the Makeup Forever line and I was thrilled! She tried the shade 115 on my skin and it was a perfect match which is rare for my skin!

I know you are wondering "what the french toast is HD" well bascially this foundation has extremley fine "glitter" particles in it that help smooth over fine lines, minimize pores, cover imperfections and make it look GREAT in photos and video. I also know you are thinking "what the french bulldog? Glitter!?!!" and no it doesn't make you look like a pixie slapped you across the face. I can't even see the particles unless I am in direct sunlight and even then I just notice a "glow" more than glitter.

This foundation is awesome! It has a velvety texture that glides smoothly over your skin, it hides imperfections perfectly, it isn't cakey or heavy and it lasts all day! I apply it in the morning before school (which is 6:30) and it stays on for 12 hours...no joke!
The only fly in the ointment...er...foundation (for some people) is that it is "high end" which also means "high price" this foundation will set you back $42. This isn't a big deal for me because my skin can't handle drug store foundations but I know some of my readers can't afford it (sorry ladies).

Here is a swatch of this foundation on my hand

Barely visible right?! That means it's a perefect match for my skin tone!
If you wanna try out anything else from Makeup Forever check out their website http://www.makeupforever.com/

check this out and let me know what you think!

Love, Lipstick, and Pixie Slaps!
Ashley

Concerts and Doctor's Appointments

I realize I sound like a broken record but sorry once again for being gone!

I went out of town Sunday-Wednesday because I had some doctors appointments in Houston!
Everything went great :)
But one of the plus sides to going out of town when we did was that Lindsey Buckingham was in Houston October 9th for a concert. If you don't know who he is click here for something that might jog your memory >

Ok and if you still don't know he is the singer/song writer/lead guitarist for the band Fleetwood Mac!
and yes we saw him in concert!!! It was AMAZING and our seats were soooo close it was crazy! Here are some pictures I took at the show...I will let them speak for themselves!

Here is a picture of dad and I at the show :)

Love, Lipstick, and AMAZING Concerts
Ashley

Who Says Your Not Beautiful?

I just want to let all you girls out there know....no matter what anyone tells you, you ARE BEAUTIFUL!!

I know there is a lot of pressure out there to be "perfect" but you are perfect just the way you are!

Don't ever let anyone ever tell you that you aren't worth anything or aren't smart, or pretty because you are as pretty as you believe you are.

Every day we get all kinds of negative comments telling us that we aren't thin enough, or tall enough, or small enough, or pretty enough, or smart enought, or funny enough, or creative enought....but at the end of the day the only person at that has to be happy with themselves is you! Other people's opinions don't really matter! If you try to change and become something your not I can gurantee that you are not going to be happy. As long as you look in the mirror every day and smile and are happy with what you see...then that is all that matters!

 God made you the way you are and he wants to look down on you and see you exactly how he created you and not any other way! He made you beautiful just the way you are!

Here is a song that I think really speaks to young women and girls about being yourself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2WWrupMBAE

Just have faith in yourself and you can do anything you set your mind too! Don't let other people tell you that you can't! Follow your heart and follow your dreams and anything is possible.
Don't ever let anyone bring you down!
Just remember you ARE BEAUTIFUL!!

Love and Lipstick
Ashley

I Love You Like A Love Song Baby....

I will admit....in a semi-ashamed tone....that I LOVE Selena Gomez!
Her new song "Love You Like A Love Song" is finally available on Amazon and the video has been out a while! For some reason I just really like the video and song! If you haven't seen it....here it it...

I especially love the tutu dress she is wearing in the pinata scene

I don't know who made the dress but....it GORGEOUS!! I did find a plain black corset dress online that you could glue rinestones too...here is the link if you are interested!
http://www.amazon.com/Burlesque-Corset-Petticoat-Solid-Black/dp/B00567VIF8%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquid1542680-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00567VIF8

Anyway I thought I would share that will you guys! Enjoy..have a awesome, sparkly, Wednesday!

Love, Lipstick and Sparkley Corsets!
Ashley

The Best Lip Products I've EVER Bought!

My friend Felicia was in town a few weeks ago and of coarse we did what girls do best...we went shopping! We were at CVS and looking at the N.Y.C. brand of cosmetics and I noticed they had their lipstains and glosses on sale (score!) As you know I was not a fan of the Maybellien lipstains but for $2 I was willing to give this brand a go.
 So instead of buying my usual pinks and reds I decided to go out on a limb and buy 2 maroon colors.

I wear the gloss over the stain, if I wear the stain alone it looks kind of flat. Together these 2 products literally last ALL DAY.
I like the stain because unlike the Maybelliene brand this doesn't dry weird on your lips or hav a funny smell. I also think it last a lot longer!

This lipgloss is the best I've used in a long time! I usually don't wear lipgloss because I hate the way it makes my lips feel and I hate when it is really sticky and my hair gets stuck in it (yuck), but this lipgloss....oh man....it's not sticky, or greasy or anything and it LASTS (which is unusual for a lipgloss). The only weird thing about it is that the applicator is completley straight! I thought that was weird but..whatever hahaha

Here is what just the stain looks like on my lips...

See it's just kind of flat with no real demension to it at all but....when I put the gloss over it....

It looks AMAZING!!
I also think the gloss helps to smooth out the stain a little and make it look more even.

Like I said I bought these on sale but regularly they aren't that expensive, at around $3-$4 a peice! These are litterally the best lip products out there in my opinion (besides the NYX Matte lipcreme) and now I want every color! haha
I hope you try these and like them as much as I do!

Also check out my video review and demo on my channel:
www.youtube.com/lipstickandleggings

Love, Lipstick, and Lipstains
Ashley

Burt's Bees and My Facial Tool



First off let me say I love Burt's Bee's products! I love their citrus facial scrub (which I did a review on, you can go read that) and their lip stuff is AMAZING!

I have really sensitive skin...which I'm sure your tired of hearing about, (your probably saying "shut up already) but Burt's Bees recently came out with a skin care line especially for sensitive skin! When I saw this line at Walgreens I did a little happy dance in the aisle and people stared haha but I quickly snatched up the creme cleanser!

Side Note: Burt's Bees products are EXPENSIVE but they are worth it because they are all natural!

I got this cleanser for I think around $12! And I love it!

It is just a white cleanser that is great for dry and sensitive skin (duh)

The reason it is so different from other cleansers is it is a cream cleanser which means it DOES NOT foam up when you use it, this helps your skin not get as dry or red and irritated (gotta love learning stuff in cosmo school) Here is what it looks like...

                                 Now you may ask yourself how I use this...or not...whatever haha

But now on to my favorite toy for cleaning my face...it's the Olay ProX Advanced Cleansing Brush!

I got this for my birthday but I know you can get it at any drugstore or store that sells makeup and face products and it will cost you only $30 (compaired to the Clairisonic which will cost anywhere from $150-$200)

I love this thing! I've had it for a few months now and I've noticed my pores are smaller and I don't have quite at many blackheads (which is a miracle). I use this at night when I take my makeup off and along with the cleanser I feel like all my makeup and any dirty is quickly washed away!
Your really have to try this for yourself so see how amazing it is!

Defenitly go buy these 2 products if you want clear skin haha!
Have a good Monday guys!

Love, Lipstick, and Cleaner Faces
Ashley

Best Shampoo for Ariel Hair

If you read my blog you'll know yesterday I posted a blog on dying your hair red!
So it's very fitting that today I tell you how to take care of it! Here are 2 of my favorite products for red hair!

They are both by Bed Head and one is the Color Goddess Shampoo for Red Hair and the other is the Color Goddess Leave-In Conditioner for Red Hair. These 2 products will greatly extend the lenght of your color by at least a few weeks (which in red dyeland is like a year haha).

They are on the expensive side being $20 a bottle...but but..they are worth every penny! Plus they smell like cookies, so double score!!

Now for a few tips for extending the length of your dye, whether you dye it yourself or go get it done who wants to wash time and money down the drain?!

First-always wash your hair in cool water and rinse it in cold
Second- Don't wash your hair everyday! Not only are you literally washing money down the drain but washing your hair everyday makes it really brittle and dry I suggest a dry shampoo. Try Psst brand ($7), TGI Rockaholic ($18), or Pantene ($8)
Third- Try not to use heat on your hair everyday because this will make your hair dull and brassy
Fourth- Reduce sun exposure! UV rays can dull color.
Lastly- Once a week use a deep conditioning mask. Hair that is soft and moist grabs and holds color better! I really like the Henna and Placenta Mask from CVS ($2) I know it sounds gross but it's AMAZING!

I hope these tips help!
Love, Lipstick and Red Hair
Ashley

If It's Red Hair You Want....

As you all know I like my hair pretty red...like Little Mermaid Ariel red! Withough giving away my dye secrets (that's only for me and my stylist to know) I am going to to let ya'll in on another great brand of semi-perminant hair color!

This brand is great if you want BOLD hair...and when I say bold I mean..."oh jeezus your hair is red" bold! And that brand is Manic Panic. You can check out their website http://www.manicpanic.com/ or I know most Sally's Beauty Supply Stores sells them too!
I first tried this brand when I was living down in Houston and couldn't get to the hair dresser and it is pretty dang good!

The red I like and is closest to a true red is their Amplified Manic Panic Infra Red Cream Dye. It is RED! They also have a pretty orangey red called Wildfire but I don't like orangey reds because they fade to a gross pumkin/brown color!

DYE TIPS:
1. Put an old or dark colored pillowcase on your pillow unless you want your granny's white pillowcase that she gave you before she died to turn pink!
2. Cover all surfaces (counters, floor, ect.) with either towels or plastic wrap or something because this dye will stain anything it comes in contact with!
3. Always wear old clothes and plastic gloves when coloring your hair
4. Wrap your shoulders in an old towel just in case anyting drips.
5. Apply Vaseline to your hairline, ears and the back of your neck so dye won't run into your eyes or on your face.
6. Section your hair into 4 sections and apply dye on your roots first and then the tips parting it in small sections as you go.
7. When rinsing this dye out cover your kitchen sink with tin foil to reduce stains I know this sounds strange but you will have a pink sink (that rhymes) if you don't
8. Rinse your hair with warm water until it runs clear, shampoo twice, condition, and rinse with cold...and I mean icey...water.
9. For the next 2 weeks you will need to wash your hair as little as possible to prevent fading! I would suggest investing in a good dry shampoo.
10. Wash your hair in cool water and ALWAYS rinse it in cold water! I know this sounds aweful but it will make your color last twice as long because, like with laundry, if you wash it in hot water it's gonna run!

I'm thinking of filming a video on dying your hair...if you would be interested in this let me know :)
If you dye your hair send me a picture!

Love, Lipstick and Ariel Hair
Ashley

So You Want To Smell Like a Cupcake

People ask me all the time (mostly girls) what kind of perfume I use and they say I smell like a cupcake!
For years I was on the search for the perfect "bakery" smelling lotion and body spray and everything I found was really disappointing!

In my opinion a lot of vanilla smelling products smell fake and musky! Which is a big fat no for me!
Then one day I was in Victoria's Secret looking for some lipgloss (I love their Beauty Rush Coffee lipgloss) and I came across this lotion and spray called "Coconut Passion" I was a little skeptical because a lot of coconut products smell really strong and kind of plasticy but this.....oh man is smells EXACTLY like cake!

This is how they describe it on the website http://www.victoriassecret.com/

Seduce with Coconut Passion®, a rendezvous of rich vanilla and warm coconut.

Experience the luxury of fragrant hydration. Intensive formula is fortified with replenishing avocado and sweet almond oils, plus hydrating honey. Massage on for rich, 24-hour moisture, focusing on dry, rough areas. Skin feels soft, smooth and touchable: the ultimate sexy sensation.

I can't go on enough how much I love the smell of these 2 products! I apply the lotion at night after I take a shower and it is SOOO moisturizing expecially in this Texas dryness! When I crawl (sometimes literally) into bed afterwards I can smell the warm vanilla and coconut scent as I fall asleep! Even when I wake up in the morning I can still smell it, and apply the body spray before school for a little extra kick! One thing I like about these products is while they have a strong smell it's not over powering to the point where your saying to yourself "jeeze did I take a bath in icing". Plus they last a really long time, I have had the lotion at least 2-3 months and I still have 1/4 (or more) of a bottle left and the spray has gone down only about an inch!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!

So if you wanna smell like me (or maybe just a cupcake) then these 2 products are your go to!

Love, Lipstick, and Vanilla Coconut!
Ashley

Shout Out to Nyan Cat!

HAPPY VIDEO TUESDAY EVERYONE!

This weeks video is going to be all about the nail kits that we got at Milan.
The kits are made by OPI which is a really great brand of nail stuff! Our kit includes everything from nail files to all the things we would need for acrylic (fake) nails.

Here is a picture of my box:

and yes that's Nyan Cat! haha if you don't know who Nyan Cat is click this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH2-TGUlwu4

We got our kits last week and we have been using them like crazy, all we did last week was manicures and pedicures. A girl in my class named Krystal has been doing acrylic nails since...well....for a long time and she gave me a manicure and painted my nails for me! Here is a picture of what they look like:

I just now realized I have ghost hands lol they look super white in that picture! But don't my nails look great?! They are pink with black and silver cheetah spots!

Anyway we start acrylic nails tomorrow and I am pretty excited about it (except if I have to put  nails on!)
I'll let you guys know how it goes.

But like I said my video of the week is all about my nail kit, I hope you find it pretty entertaining! Subscribe if you like it here is the link to my channel!

www.youtube.com/lipstickandleggings

Love, Lipstick, and Nails
Ashley

Olay Complete Sensitive Skin Daily Moisturizer

This review is going to be short and sweet...so here goes....

I rarely review products I don't like so obviously I like this moisturizer haha It is perfect for my really dry, really sensitive skin!
I bought this from CVS for I think around $8? It is not greasy or sticky which I LOVE and it absorbs into my skin really quickly without making it look oily! It also has an SPF of 15 which is great for my "Snow White" skin tone haha

I've tried a lot and I mean A LOT of moisturizers and this one is the best daily moisturizer hands down! I apply this in the morning after I wash my face and it is the best!! I would recomend this for anyone who has sensitive, acne prone, irritated, or dry skin!

If you have used this before tell me what you think and if you buy it tell me if you love it too! Tomorrow is Video Tuesday and I have a video surpise for all of ya'll that like my Cosmetology School stuff! Tune in Tomorrow to find out :)

Love, Lipstick and Lotion
Ashley

Dear Levi's: My Letter To A Pair of Pants

Dear Levi Jeans,

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE! In case you haven't heard this before you are amazing!
We recently met at my local Kohl's store (but I know you are also online at http://www.levis.com/) because I desperatly needed a new pair of jeans without holes in them. I looked at you from across the denim section and thought "wow those are really nice" and proceeded to shyly walk over to you. I noticed you came in skinny which is pretty much the only style of pant I wear..I was so happy! We exchanged a few some witty banter like "oh do you come in my size?" and "how much" we ran into a snag in our friendship when you told me I was yours for the "low, low price" of $50 but...I shoved that aside and  I picked you up and took you into the dressing room with me anyway. Just because I tried you on doesn't mean we are married right?

 I slipped you on and....oh wow....you were the best fitting pair of jeans I had ever tried on in my life! And talk about comfortable.... You didn't squeeze me in any weird places and your fabric was so soft I thought I died and went to pant heaven! At this point I had no problems with buying you for $50 because I knew we would be friends for a very long time!

And so I took you to the register, paid for you and happily carried you home! You are one of the best purchases ever and I can't wait to show you off! Here are some pictures I took of you just in case you were wondering......

(this picture I got off the website)
Thanks for becoming my new best friend Levi jeans! You won't be sorry!
Love, Lipstick, and Jean Love!
Ashley

Fall/Winter Shoes!

Fall upon us and winter is quickly approching (whether I want it to or not) so now is the time to start slowly getting your fall and winter staples. What's winter without boots? Boring....that's what it is! Here are a few hot trends this season, where you can get them and how much they cost.

First of a few of my favorite styles from http://www.rocketdog.com/:

This is the "Slinger" it comes in 2 shades the "Vintage Worn" which is a chocolate brown color and the "Roadtrip" which is black. It's a knee-high western style boot made of faux suede
These are actually on sale for $39.99 so I'm not sure how much longer they will be available so HURRY

Next is a shoe I actually own, it's the Satire it comes in 3 shades and fabrics:
Rider-which is a black faux leather fabric
Tumbled-a dark brown faux leather
Winkled-a dark mustard faux suede
I have the Rider boot and let me tell you they are so comfortable and have great arch support! They cost $69.95

Lastly on this website is the Chomper Washed Canvas. They come in 2 colors Black and Cream and they come up to the mid calf area! I LOVE THIS SHOE and I might have to buy a pair haha They will run you $79.95

Next up is a couple shoes I like from http://www.journeys.com/
This shoe is Shi by Journeys and they are a heeled boot! The sadly only come in one color but they are only $54.99

This shoe is also Shi by Journeys but they are called "Rosey Boot" and they come in 2 colors black and brown. They are lined with a fleece lining and cost $59.99

Now lastly if you like a little higher priced brands this last website is for you! These shoes I found at http://www.stevemadden.com/

First is the Leah Cognac boot which comes in black and a warm tan color.They are a faux leather and will set you back $89.95

Next is the Axxle Cognac LE and it comes in Black and Brown and your in luck it's on sale for $97.97

Lastly is a boot I saw online that I thought was so outrageous I had to include it....here goes....
These shoes are from http://www.shopnastygal.com/ and they have all kinds of crazy shoes! These are The Sam Edelman Zoe Boot and they will look awesome on your feet for $200!

I hope you found something you like! Let me know your pick!
Love, Lipstick, and Shoes
Ashley