Classic : T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel

I have found myself recommending this product a lot recently, so I thought it was a great time to write a CLASSIC post about my all-time favorite toner - T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel. There is nothing I hate more than washing my face and still finding makeup clinging on. Ugh! So, in order to feel really, really clean, I always use witch hazel after washing at night to make sure my pores are nice and clear. It is so satisfying to see leftover dirt, oil and makeup on my cotton swab after toning it up.

This particular brand is great. It seems to always be in abundance in drug and grocery stores and is always cheap. Plus, it is 100% natural and contains no alcohol. Normally, I would boo-hoo no alcohol but in this case, it's OK. I always found stronger toners that contained alcohol too drying and could not use them around my eyes. With witch hazel, I never have a problem with redness or over-drying.

Toner is so important! Buy this shit and tell me what you think, ya'll.

Icon : To Wong Foo, Thank for Everything! Julie Newmar

I decided to dedicate my first ICON post to all three gentlemen in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, one of my all-time favorite movies. I will take a moment of silence while you judge me harshly.

Moment's up. OK, let me explain. The tag line says it all - "Attitude is Everything." Um, true. Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo all look amazing in the movie.

Fabulous.

And seriously, the opening scene of them all putting on their make-up to Salt-N-Pepa's "I Am The Body Beautiful" will make you want to grab for your vampy lipliner, eyelash curler and decorate the 'eff out of your face.

Move over, Mother, 'cause I'm going faster than you can you drive . . .

These honorary ladies embody the definition of all that is stunning and sensational. They work it in high heels and tight dresses while staying true to themselves. Life lesson much?

I promise you. Take a listen to the soundtrack while you are getting ready for a night out of balls-to-the-walls partying and I guarantee you will walk out your door feeling like the glamorous tease I know you are. 

Fan Favorite : Summertime Supplies

With summer officially in session, I thought it would be the perfect time to list some of my favorite 2011 hot season must-haves.

Suave Dry Shampoo

I am claiming this as one of my best beauty finds of the season. I use it everyday to build voluminous hair. For my personal summer hairstyle, I . . .

1. Dry hair with a diffuser until almost dry

2. Use a 1-inch curling iron to smooth and define my curl

4. Turn my head over and spray on dry shampoo, concentrating mostly at roots

5. Flip up for a fabulous look ala Penelope Cruz in Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Hot.

Remember, if you have dark hair like me, please be sure to rub in the dry shampoo with your fingers. You do not want to look like you got attacked by a gang armed with baby powder. BTW, this product costs $2.74. What?! I know. I get my supply from Target as they consistently seem to have it stocked. I have made trips to other local drugstores only to be sorely disappointed in their lack of dry shampoo (ahem, Walgreens).

Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm

I bought this tinted lip balm on a whim because I needed something to wear to the pool that provided sun protection. I totally lucked out.  This balm adds the perfect hint of color (I bought Petal Glow) and moisturizes like nobody’s business without feeling heavy. Plus it has an SPF 20, a MUST when baking under the sun. I feel super glamorous while still looking natural. I am excited to try the other tints.

Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion Sunscreen

I have been using this as my every day lotion, NOT as poolside sunscreen (I use hardcore waterproof SPF for that). This lotion is perfect for getting the sun protection you need while running errands or reading in the shade without feeling super greasy. Plus, it smells like you are at the beach, one of my all-time favorite smells. Pina Colada, anyone? No, really.

Sephora Harmony Trio Bronzer

My favorite summer look right now consists of black liquid eyeliner, loads of waterproof mascara, just a touch of concealer to hide imperfections, a light peach lipstick (my favorite is by Rimmel in Crush), and a few sweeps of Sephora’s bronzer. With peach, pink and gold all included, it looks great on any skin tone. I love the sheen it gives my cheeks without all that glitter nonsense found in other bronzer/highlighters. It gives just the right amount of color without looking too bronzer-y.

Revlon Metallic Nail Enamel in Gold Coin

Simply put, this nail enamel looks bad-ass with a tan. 'Nuff said. 

Oh, you need more? Vampy Varnish did a fabulous job showcasing all three of the colors in Revlon's metallic set. Check it out here!

Put all of the above together and you will have a summer look so hot, I will want to date you. Seriously.

Classic : L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black

Just like every beauty junkie I know, I have a list of personal classics - those tried and true products that I have continuously bought over the years (and years) of my make-up wearing existence. L'Oreal's Voluminous Mascara will forever live in my beauty suitcase. I have a thing for big, fat lashes. I love them. I need them. I must have them every day of my life. And Voluminous has made them a reality for me since high school. I use at least two coats in the morning and a touch up coat if I'm going out at night.

Take time with your lashes. If you have to leave the house wearing just one make-up item, let it be Voluminous. I prefer Carbon Black. I say go all the way, baby. For the nighttimes, line your upper lid with a very thin swipe of liquid eyeliner right at the base of your lashes and a few coats of mascara. I did this this other night and felt 50's fabulous.

Be careful when using on your bottom lashes. Raccoon peepers may occur. I hardly ever use mascara on the lower lashes unless I am going for a very dramatic eye. Overall, Voluminous will stay put. If you experience a little flaking, wrap some Scotch tape around two fingers and lightly roll it underneath your eyes to get rid of flakes and loose eyeshadow specks.

Fan Favorite : Sephora Cream Lip Stain

My lips are constantly getting a workout. I talk and eat a lot during the day and, with a little help of a whiskey and Coke (or five), I kiss everyone in sight at night. Thank goodness I have found my go-to lip stain.

Sephora’s newest cream lip stain provides a concentrated, lasting color without the drying properties of other long-lasting lipsticks. I really like the pinkish nude color (05 Infinite Rose) for every day use and the bright berry red (03 Strawberry Kissed) for night. I actually used the red just the other night for a Sunday sock hop session and it looked great until 2:30 a.m.! If I had had a booty call, I would have showed up looking mighty fine.

Because of its creamy application, the stain does not flake or leave that annoying line along the back of the lips. However, I have talked to a few ladies who did find it a tad drying. I recommend lightly dabbing some Rosebud Salve to provide some emollient once your let the stain dry.

I plan on getting the classic red (01 Always Red). I am always in line for the next best rouge. My only complaint is the lip stain does not come in any sort of coral. I love me some orangey pink lips. Hopefully, Sephora plans to expand this line with more variety.

Have you used this product? Tell me how you like it.