IN MY BAG | NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss

If you are a beauty lover like myself, I'm sure you've had your share of  NYX Cosmetics filling your makeup bag. Over the years, beauty brand NYX Cosmetics has been a staple in my beauty arsenal. Their primers, lipsticks, eyeliners, lipliners, brow pens, and blushes have been automatic repurchases, as I've been so pleased with the quality and affordability of theses items. And as much as I've gushed over said products in the past, nothing has quite compared to my love of the NYX Butter Gloss. Any gloss girlie can tell you-- NYX Butter Gloss was, is, and will always be THAT GIRL.

THE HYPE | NYX BUTTER GLOSS

Deemed "America's #1 Lip Gloss" on the NYX Cosmetics website, Butter Gloss is a fan favorite for good reason. With 29 shades of creamy gloss, there's a color (or 3) for everyone. Each gloss gives sheer to medium coverage, with the exception of the clear gloss. And the best thing about them? They glide on beautifully, giving your lips just the desired amount of shine WITHOUT the stickiness. I don't know about anyone else, but for me, a tacky lip gloss can ruin an entire lip look. But not Butter Gloss. She plays well alone or layered with other lip products, such as liners and lipsticks. 

While talking about these glosses with a friend the other day, I was asked which were my favorites among the bunch. So, I decided to share my top three here with you guys as well. I've bought so many different shades of NYX Butter Gloss over the years. However, three in particular are always found IN MULTIPLES in my makeup bag, in my purse, and on my vanity. ENTER: Tiramisu, Praline, and Ginger Snap.

Lipstick Love | The Lip Bar Matte Lip in Rich Auntie

When is the last time you've worn a lipstick that made you feel like "the one" when you stepped out with it perfectly applied on your lips? I mean, when you look in your bathroom mirror, you feel confident giving yourself that last once-over? And as you go on about your day, you notice others are admiring your brilliant smile as well? Some may even stop you to ask you the name of the lipstick you're rocking. I don't know about you, but I love when someone asks me about lipsticks. Especially if it stands out as much as Rich Auntie from The Lip Bar.

If you didn't know, let me be the one to tell you: Rich Auntie is THAT GIRL. I usually go for nudes and chocolates for everyday wear, but there's something about Rich Auntie that makes me want to grab for her and rock her fearlessly every day. I don't know if it's the shade or the feeling she gives when I put her on, but I love it, either way! She has been holding a secured spot on my makeup vanity for months and now that she's BACK IN STOCK, I need to purchase a few more! Peep the details below to learn why I'm so obsessed with her after the jump.

LIPSTICK LOVE | NYX Lip Lingerie in Honeymoon and Beauty Mark

When the seasons change, I am always inspired to switch out items from daily wear makeup bag. The bright lippies and blushes from warmer months have now taken residence in the makeup cases in the bottom of my closet. My favorite plums, reds, burgundies, and deep browns have made a comeback! And while browns and nudes never really disappear from my rotation, I do forget many of my all-time favorites and have to bring them back out. 

If you've been here for a while, you know I love a good, affordable lipstick. And for that reason, I keep repurchasing lippies from the NYX Cosmetics Lip Lingerie line. Lip Lingerie boasts to have a "nude for everybody" with over 20 shades between the original and the XXL line. Two of them that I just can't seem to get out of my system are my beloved Honeymoon and Beauty Mark. 

I've been rocking these two for years and can always seem to find a replacement when I run out from virtually any big box store or drugstore. So, as long as these stores continue to feed my habit for the low, I'll continue to slather my lips with their product. Check out how they look on the pucker below.

Lipstick Love | Black Radiance Perfect Tone HD Lip Sculptor

As the seasons change, I always find a way to add a few new lipsticks to my makeup bag. It's such a habit! And while I like to peruse the beauty aisles for what's new, looking for long-lasting shades and finishes that promise to hydrate and show-out, I sometimes tip-toe back to the familiar. You know how it is. You get all the compliments from that lipstick you were rocking at the function last year only to find it has long run out. You recall that lipstick you used to wear before the pandemic that people passing by always said looked amazing on you and realize you need to see if it's still available in stores. Those were my feelings when I sought out to repurchase the Black Radiance Perfect Tone HD Lip Sculptor Lipsticks I swooned over in the drugstore a couple of years ago.

When I first purchased a couple of these beauties, I had not saw many reviews of them online. However, I haven't been disappointed by Black Radiance yet. With an array of shades to choose from and an awesome price point, I knew it would be no problem for me to purchase and repurchase these lipsticks for as long as they were in stock. And since I was so impressed with the formula, I bought quite a few as my local store started discounting them recently.

Read below the jump to learn more about these beauties!

Lipstick Love | The Lip Bar Lipstick in Purple Rain

Have you ever had a lipstick that was just perfect for ANY occasion? I mean, you could be going out for groceries, going out for lunch, or even meeting up with a friend, and that one lipstick stays front and center for the choosing? I don't know about you, but I have a few of those lipsticks in my makeup bag. And for the longest time, creamy purple lipsticks seem to always go high on my everyday lipstick list. 

Don't get me wrong: I love my nudes, hot pinks, and my deep berries (especially during the fall). But there's something about one purple lipstick in particular that makes me feel like my best flirty and feisty self. And that lipstick is none other than The Lip Bar lipstick in Purple Rain. This lipstick has been holding a secured spot in my makeup bag for a minute and is definitely an instant repurchase when I run out. Peep the details below to learn why I keep running back to her after the jump.

Lipstick Love | Milani Bold Color Statement Matte Lipstick

Lipstick holds a special place in my heart and my makeup bag. So you know I brake whenever I see new-to-me tubes in my local stores. Sometimes I'm lured by the promise of being long-lasting in their titles. Other times I'm teased by their incredible range of shades. However, most of the time, it is the packaging of a lipstick that makes me stop and take notice immediately. Not only did the sleek, matte black packaging of the Milani Bold Color Statement Matte Lipsticks make me pause; the affirmation of each label made me want to add them to my cart ASAP.

According to the Milani website, the Bold Color Statement Matte Lipsticks are "extra in the best way." Now doesn't that sound like a lipstick you would feel confident wearing? These lipsticks have a guaranteed "no smudge, won't budge" formula that boasts to last all day.

LIPSTICK DIARIES | 3 Steps to the Perfect Pout

If you've been reading here for a while, you already know I believe in the power of lipstick. There's something about wearing a flattering shade of lipstick at any event that provides the best confidence boost. And as much as I've discussed alluring shades and formulas here in this space, I have yet to share how I make sure my lipstick is always looking flawless. Well that changes today!

In this space, I'd like to take the opportunity to REALLY talk about lipstick. I mean, we spend countless hours in the beauty aisles debating on which lipsticks get chosen and will be coming home with us. We stare at them in the tubes, we imagine what they might look like applied generously on our lips, and we might even sniff the lipstick to see how we feel about the fragrance. But how often do we talk about how to properly apply our lipstick to REALLY make it look the best on us?

Sure, we want to make sure our lipstick has the best chance of showing up and showing out for us. We want to make sure it's placed perfectly on our beautiful lips each time. We want to make sure our lips are primed and ready for a dope application. And we want to make sure that baby lasts for as long as we want it to each and every time. So if you're new to the lipstick game and want to make sure your lipstick is on point, keep reading to learn three steps for the best lipstick application and performance.

Seven Items To Add To Your Makeup Bag This Fall + Winter

Now that it's finally feeling like Fall here in Southeastern North Carolina, I've been making some changes, starting with my makeup bag! Remember a few weeks ago when we were talking about updating our wardrobes, beauty products and all that good stuff over on IG? Well since I've been cleaning out my makeup bag and replacing a few items, I thought it would be great to bring you guys along for the ride with this post. Here are seven items I felt must be added to my makeup bag for these cooler months. A change has come, and it is time to embrace some new hues, honey!

IN MY BAG | The Lip Bar Liquid Mattes

If you are a beauty lover like myself, I'm sure you're no stranger to beauty brand The Lip Bar. Often  introduced as the brand of colorful lipsticks first seen on Shark Tank, The Lip Bar is so much more. This Detroit-based vegan + cruelty brand created by Melissa Butler (that started off selling lip products online) has recently expanded to selling eye and face products as well. And for customers like me who hate running out of their favorite lipsticks and waiting for them to ship, the lip products are now sold in Target.

IN MY BAG | The Lip Bar Liquid Mattes

With the launch of The Lip Bar's new products, particularly the Fast Face Kits, I've been reminded of why I fell in love with this innovative beauty brand. After my first purchase of Purple Rain a few years ago (because, Prince), I knew this brand would be one to look out for. Not only were the lipsticks offered in vibrant, in-your-face shades, they were cruelty free AND created by a black woman. While there has been a boom in liquid matte lipsticks in recent years, one could get overwhelmed shopping in stores looking for shades that actually looked flattering to wear. Finding a brand that had all complexions in mind made me feel like I had found a winner in The Lip Bar.

And since I've been giving plenty of fall lipstick suggestions in my DMs, I decided it was about time I shared my favorites from the liquid matte line here on the blog. Keep reading below the jump to find out which four I'm keeping in my makeup bag this fall and how to catch them on sale for a limited time!

Natural Fall Makeup with Believe Beauty

Fall is officially here, ladies and gentlemen! And I, for one, am so excited about it. As much as I love packing away my warm weather clothing for apparel suited for cooler temps, I get more hype about updating my makeup bag. This means swapping my BB cream and tinted moisturizer for foundation, using darker, deeper eyeshadows, and pulling my nude, wine, and berry colored lipsticks out. And if you're like me and love taking long walks down the beauty aisle, updating that makeup bag can become expensive if you're not careful.

That's why I've recently gotten familiar with the Believe Beauty line that launched this Spring in Dollar General. This line has quality, cruelty-free cosmetics with each item retailing for $5 or less. And it has everything from lipsticks, base products, and eye makeup on down to nail polish and beauty tools. Does that make your beauty-loving heart as happy as it does mine?

Since I've been grabbing for said Believe Beauty products exclusively at Dollar General so much lately, I decided I would not only share the products but the look I achieve while using them. Read more below to check out each step I took and each Believe Beauty product used for this easy look.

Date Night Makeup | Springtime Smoky Eyes Fit For Royalty

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #EyesFitForRoyalty #CollectiveBias

Every now and again, every woman should be made feel like royalty. Whether it's through preferential treatment from her loved ones, a special gift for herself, or even an evening spent feeling like her most beautiful best. And for this reason, every woman should have at least one beauty look or two in her arsenal for when she's showing up to the world as the royal goddess she is. For occasions like this, especially date night with my husband, I like to have a nice, simple smoky eye trick up my sleeve. The classic smoky eye is subtle, not too harsh, but still has the intensity to make folks stop and take notice.


For my most recent date night, I wanted to look like royalty, but I wanted to do it with minimal effort and budget, of course. The NEW COVERGIRL Premium Eyeshadow Palettes at Walmart offer just what I was looking for when it came to creating a fresh, new look for said date night out. We are well overdue for some alone time these days and I wanted to make sure I gave him a look unusual from the barefaced and barely pulled together TWA I've been sporting for the last several weeks. My goal was to create a simple smoky eye with that star factor, so I chose the NEW COVERGIRL Premium Eyeshadow Palette in Overthrown palette to bring my look to life.

NEW Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipsticks

If you've been reading here for a while, you already know how obsessed I am with lipstick. It holds a special place in my heart and my makeup bag, so I have a tendency to ramble about it. Besides, the only thing better than lipstick is NEW lipstick. So you also know talks of new lipstick send my antennas all the way up!

Earlier this spring, I had the chance to try out Pixi Beauty's MatteLast Liquid Lip and was quite impressed. And no sooner than I heard they had new additions to the collection, I received a beautiful package from Pixi that included their entire Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lip Collection. I couldn't wait to try out the five new shades so that I could share them with you guys here and possibly add them to my winter beauty arsenal.

But did they make the cut, though? Read below the jump to find out!

New Beauty Products from Honest Beauty

Since the re-launch of Jessica Alba's Honest Beauty line, I had the opportunity to try a few of the new products last month. If you aren't familiar with Honest Beauty, it is a beauty extension of Jessica Alba's brand, The Honest Company. This brand boasts "high performance color cosmetics, skincare, and beauty products" that are free of harsh chemicals and cruelty-free.

And lucky for me, they are three must-have items in my beauty arsenal: a primer to hold me and my foundation down (no matter, whatever), mascara that makes my nearly nonexistent eyelashes look full and lush (or at least visible), and you guessed it--- a lip product that is flattering and makes me feel amazing when wearing it. Now did these three items I received from Honest Beauty meet my standards when it comes to beauty needs? Read below the jump to find out more!

LIPSTICK LOVE | NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Copenhagen

There's nothing on a late summer or early fall evening quite like a deep burgundy or plum colored lipstick. It's alluring. It's mysterious. It demands attention. And something about wearing one makes me feel so fierce!

I've had my fair share of experience with deep wine, burgundy, and plum lipsticks over the years, forever chasing that power I felt when applying my auntie's burgundy Fashion Fair lipstick as a little girl. And now as an adult, I make sure to keep a few in my arsenal to remind me of that powerful woman I've grown to be. One that never leaves my makeup bag is NYX Soft Lip Cream in Copenhagen. This lipstick has been a hero in my beauty arsenal for quite some time and is an instant repurchase each time I run out. Read the details below to find out just why I always come running back to her after the jump.

Favorite Lipsticks To Transition from Summer to Fall

What lipsticks have you been reaching for the most this summer? My beautiful blogger friend Chantel and I have been talking about lipstick favorites lately and decided we should share some together on our blogs. Chantel is a dope beauty writer that blogs over at Chantel Keona and keeps her readers on trend with the latest beauty and style finds! I couldn't wait to collaborate with her to collectively share a few of our seasonal favorites with our readers. The trouble is, however, I have so many lipstick favorites. This summer I have been picking up shades randomly, as my mood saw fit, so I had no clue how I would narrow them down. Then I had the perfect idea that brought my transitioning makeup bag to mind.

One of my favorite things about transitioning from season to season is updating my makeup bag. And while we have plenty more warm days of summer left, I thought I would start thinking about my transitions early. As I'm transitioning my lipsticks from summer shades to fall shades, I pulled a few of my favorites that I knew would transition well from one season to the next. So without further adieu, check out my picks below!

My Favorite MAC Lipsticks of All Time

If you've been reading the blog for a while, and even if you know me well, you know I could talk about lipsticks all day. I could go on and on about my favorite shades, finishes, and even dupes if it comes to that. And if you aren't careful, I'll talk you into trying a new shade or two. There's just something about trying a new lipstick that empowers me (and empowers me to empower other women as well).

One thing I haven't talked about in a long time in this space here, however, are my favorite lipstick brands. After gushing over my all-time favorite lipstick on National Lipstick day via Instagram, many people asked me about lipstick suggestions via DM. In fact, a few of you guys even asked me what some of my favorite MAC lipsticks were. And since MAC is one of my favorite beauty brands when it comes to lipsticks, I decided it would be cool to share my favorite MAC lipsticks here on the blog, too.

Not only do these high-quality lipsticks come in so many shades, there's a finish to suit everyone's fancy-- 7 to be exact. Everyone can find a shade that compliments their skintone. And MAC lipsticks always meet the criteria for what I'm looking for in a lipstick: great color pay-off, long-lasting, and great scent/flavor. So without further adieu, here are some of my favorites from the brand.

How to Keep Your Makeup Bag "Beach Ready" This Season

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NatureMadeBiotin #CollectiveBias

Do you update your makeup bag each season? As a beauty-loving woman on-the-go, I make sure to always update my beauty routine and products accordingly. And since summer is officially "beach season," I like to keep that in mind as I purchase new products for my daily beauty routine.

Since I live near a beach town, I know the feeling of wanting to head to the beach as soon as the weather permits. But I also want to look and feel my personal best when I'm there. That's why it's important that my makeup bag stays ready to head out to the beach at a moment's notice. Not only will having my favorite beauty products on deck keep me looking my best, they help me get my beauty routine together for the season with ease. Read below to find out how to keep your makeup bag beach ready for the summer.

UNBOXING | Pixi Glow in a Box

Trying new beauty products will never get old to me. And receiving beautiful PR packages from the likes of Pixi Beauty are one of the reasons why. When I received the Pixi Glow in a Box a few weeks ago, I was so enamored by the packaging, I almost didn't want to open it!

Have you ever heard stories about moms buying their small children expensive toys only for them to play with the boxes? One of those small children could have easily been me the day this package was delivered. Seriously, I marveled at the pretty fuchsia glitter-encrusted case for hours (and dared anyone in the house to touch it) before I finally decided to stop being a kid and open it. And of course my eyes grew even wider with excitement as I pulled item after item from the beautifully crafted box.

Check the details below to learn more about these products, my first impressions, and where you can purchase some of your own.

Serving Face: How to Create a Signature Beauty Look

Over the years, I've had so much fun experimenting with makeup. I can't describe the joy I get from finding a foundation that matches my skin tone or a lipstick that looks amazing on my lips. And though I've had my share of bad beauty experiences (shaved eyebrows, ghostly foundation, you name it), I've enjoyed the journey to finding beauty products that work for me. One of the most rewarding things about this journey is creating a signature beauty look that ensures my makeup is fresh and polished for any occasion.

"What is a signature beauty look?" some of you may be asking. For me, my signature beauty look is how I wear my makeup on most days, complete with my holy-grail beauty products. Having this look as a part of my beauty routine helps me to do my makeup as quickly and efficiently as possible. If you haven't yet created a signature beauty look for yourself but are considering it, today's post is for you. Read below to find out why you need a signature look and how to create one of your own.

Everyday Beauty | The Natural, "No-Makeup" Makeup Look

Hello guys! I hope everyone has been having a beautiful spring so far! This season, I've been looking forward to swapping out my lipsticks and eyeshadow palettes to add bright, vibrant hues to my makeup bag. However, in my realistic everyday life, I don't always take the time to pull these beautiful shades together for an overall beauty look. As someone who spends most of her time in the home, I don't wear a full face of makeup every single day. But I do love throwing on my usual natural makeup look with cat-eye and nude lips just because.

This natural, everyday look gives me just the right touch of coverage I need to feel confident without a heavy application of makeup. Not to mention, it only takes minutes to do!