THE BEST TINTED LIP BALMS

So, after our ‘balmy’ fall and winter (Christmas Day was about 65 – 70 degrees here in Connecticut) it seems winter has arrived. With a vengeance.

With the cold, dry air, along comes dry, chapped, and flaky lips! But I have pretty pale lips by nature, and when they’re super dry, they look even paler (like, I look sick).

So the solution to that, of course, is a tinted lip balm! Something that gives great hydration and a wash of color to make you look and feel your best! I’ve rounded up some of my faves to share with you guys!

Let’s get started!

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NIVEA KISS OF CARE & COLOR 

  These tinted lip balms are probably some of my favorites – like of all time! They come in 4 sheer shades (Sheer Crimson, Sheer Berry, Sheer Coral, and Sheer Pink) and they have a moisture rich core wrapped in beautifully flattering color. Every color works on every skin tone. I love the Sheer Crimson, Sheer Coral, and Sheer Berry (I haven’t been able to find the pink so plenty of others must love it too!) and every single shade looks good! I’ve bought multiples of each so they’re always nearby, and they often go on sale at CVS and Walgreens, so you can find them ‘Buy One Get One 50% Off’!!

BURT’S BEES TINTED LIP BALM

 

Photo Credit : Musings of a Muse

I’ve always had a love affair with Burt’s Bees products – I love that they’re mostly natural, and I love their efforts in sustainability and being ‘green’ overall. They have a huge range of products from skin care to baby care that really live up to their claims, and these lip balms are no different – they come in 8 sheer shades, and are made with botanical waxes and shea butter. I have three of the eight shades, Hibiscus, Rose, and Red Dahlia, and they’re absolutely beautiful. Hibiscus is by far the most pigmented of the three that I own, but they all look natural on the lips, but more importantly they FEEL amazing! Even after they’ve worn off, my lips feel just as moisturized as when I first applied them!

CHAP-ICE ROSE TINTED LIP BALM

  This is basically the knock-off to the Vaseline Lip Therapy in Rosy Lips, which is a rose tinted petroleum jelly lip balm. And it’s fine. It works nicely. But I find the Chap-Ice one to be slightly more pigmented, so I actually notice a difference in color on my lips when I apply it – and I find it to be a little thicker, therefore lasting longer. I actually found this product in Dollar Tree, and went back and bought like 10 more in case they ever stopped carrying it! They’re only $1! Which I believe makes them roughly $2-3 cheaper than the Vaseline one! (I’m sorry, I couldn’t find a link, but most Dollar Tree stores carry them!!)

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I have a pretty extensive lip balm collection – from almost every Maybelline Baby Lips ever produced, to all of the EOS spheres, to the Pixi ones – the list could go on forever. For awhile I was even collecting the seasonal, limited edition ChapStick flavors. But as far as hydration and tint go, these ones are my absolute faves!

Have you guys tried any of these? What are some of your favorites? Leave me a comment and let me know!

And please take a moment to go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook. Your support means so much to me!

LOTS OF LOVE!

NOVEMBER 2015 FAVORITES

Can we just take a minute to acknowledge how FAST this year has flown by?! I feel like I just did my October Favorites yesterday!

So you guys know I’ve been trying to keep up with doing a monthly favorites post for you, whether is just beauty items or a good mix of general favorites. Well this month I’ve decided to jump back to general favorites. I won’t ramble, I’ll just get started!!

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DUNKIN’ DONUTS S’MORES HOT CHOCOLATE

 

 It’s no secret how much I love my coffee – it’s like starter fluid for mornings. But I’ve been trying to cut back on the coffee, since I’ve noticed that right around the middle of the afternoon when I’m on my 4th or 5th cup, I’ve been getting very jittery and (yuck) nauseous. Honestly I’m not sure what made me gravitate towards the S’Mores hot chocolate, but it is AMAZEBALLS! You can actually taste the flavors separately, like you’re biting into a s’more (s’mores? s’more? what’s the singular? I don’t know). It’s crazy good! I’ve probably gotten one a day for the entire past month!

COACH SIGNATURE STRIPE MULTIFUNCTION TOTE

There’s actually a whole story to this – ever since I returned that Adrienne Vitadinni bag that mentioned in my October Favorites (read about it here) and returned it because it was just so uncomfortable, I’d been on the hunt for a big, multipurpose bag that I could carry both my essentials and my sons, but my laptop, notebook, etc. I found one for sale on a local Facebook tag sale page, but the seller wouldn’t budge on the price (a whopping $5 difference that her asking price!), so a friend of mine saw the post and offered me this bag, that she no longer needed. I offered to pay her AT LEAST what I was willing to pay the original poster, and she insisted that she wanted no money for the bag! So this was actually a gift from a very kind, generous friend, and I couldn’t thank her enough! It’s got all the pockets and storage I was looking for and it fits everything I need to carry and then some! So thank you again Ashley R.!

If you guys are looking to find designer pieces on a budget, check out an app called Poshmark, and eBay is also a great place to find great items at a huge discount!

NIVEA KISS OF CARE & COLOR in SHEER CRIMSON

 

 It’s starting to get much colder here in Connecticut now, and naturally with the cold, dry air come dry, chapped lips. This tinted lip balm is super moisturizing, and while the shade name indicates that it would be red, it’s actually that sheer wash of red that looks like natural, healthy, beautifully pigmented lips. The tint is wrapped around a moisturizing core, and while it doesn’t have the greatest lasting power, I find it to be super hydrating, so my lips stay nice and soft even after it’s worn away. I have these in Sheer Coral and Sheer Berry too, but I have like 4 of the Crimson shade in various places, like my vanity, truck, purse, and coat pocket! I’m never without one! Look for them in your local drugstore!

MORPHE M439 DELUXE BUFFER FOUNDATION BRUSH

 

 Since this brush came in the mail, I haven’t been able to use anything else! It applies foundation FLAWLESSLY!! Don’t get me wrong, I still love my trusty Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, and it makes for a fabulous alternative, but currently I’m obsessed with my M439. If you guys haven’t checked out Morphe Brushes, you need to – they’re affordable, amazing quality, and they have brushes for EVERYTHING you could think of – and I believe they’re coming out with a monthly subscription box, so if you’re interested, get over to morphebox.com and get your name on the email list!

MILANI AMORE MATTE LIP CREME *LIMITED EDITION* in BELOVED

 

 I won’t talk your ear off about this product – I’ve actually done a full review on these which you can read here. But I was playing around the other night trying to pull together my Thanksgiving look, and I swiped on this lip creme. Guys, if you were looking for a great ‘Kylie Jenner’ lippie that you don’t need to spend $40 on 5 different products to achieve, this is your baby! It’s the perfect slightly pinky, neutral brown shade, completely matte, hard to get off, and while I’m not a huge fan of the applicator (a flat doe foot style that is almost identical to the Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer applicator) I love the product! You could probably wipe some off onto a palette or even the back of your hand and use a lip brush, or just use the applicator very carefully. I don’t believe they’re in stores anymore *sad face* but you can still grab them on milanicosmetics.com for about $9 – get ’em while they last!

FREEMAN CHARCOAL & BLACK SUGAR FACIAL POLISHING MASK

 

 If you have dry, flaky winter skin like me (yes, little ‘ol oily me!) and you find that your foundation just isn’t laying right, or you’re even experiencing a bought of acne breakouts, you want to run to your nearest ULTA and pick this up! The charcoal is great for drawing out impurities, and the black sugar sloughs away dead skin that your makeup clings to, and that also clogs your pores, contributing to breakouts. I like to smooth this on clean skin, leave it on for about 5 minutes, and then wash it off in the shower, since the black sugar is so grainy and get pretty messy! You’re left with super smooth, clean feeling skin that you just wanna touch all day -but don’t, cuz that’s bad for your face!

NYX DARK CIRCLE CONCEALER

 

 So my son is cutting his top molars – which mean little to no sleep for me – which means dark circles from hell….well this concealer covers them like nothing I’ve ever used before. It’s a pretty heavy concealer but it’s got a peachy tint to it to help color correct as it conceals, eliminating that extra step and additional product. Use it only where you see that darkness though, this is not a blemish concealer. And be sure to set it with a powder, or it will crease! I love this stuff! Find it at ULTA!

RIMMEL LASH ACCELERATOR MASCARA

 

 I feel like this is one of those products that I just don’t see get the credit it deserves. Does it actually make my lashes grow? I don’t know – I can’t commit to using one mascara for 6 weeks straight to see (though maybe I should-if you guys want me to do it and review it, leave me a comment!). But what I can tell you is that my lashes immediately look longer, they’re beautifully defined, and it stays put all day long without flaking or smudging. I especially like the wand design for the bottom lashes because it coats them without getting mascara everywhere. If you’re looking for something that will give you loads of volume, this isn’t for you – but if you want gorgeous, natural looking long lashes, this is a great mascara! And you can find it in almost every drugstore!

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What have you guys been loving this month? Let me know in the comments below!

And don’t forget to go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook!! I’ll be hosting a giveaway soon and you won’t want to miss out!

LOTS OF LOVE!

BEST ‘YOUR LIPS BUT BETTER’ PRODUCTS

  With the never-ending choices of lip colors on the market, from nudes to reds, pinks to plums and so on, it can seem like such a daunting task to just find that perfect shade. You know the one I’m talking about – the one that makes people think “what is that lip color she’s wearing? IS she wearing a lip color? I WANT LIPS LIKE HERS!”. THAT, my dears, is known as the YLBB or MLBB (your lips but better or my lips but better) and it seems like it’s almost impossible to find. So I’ve compiled a list of shades from across the board that work on practically ANYONE, from the fairest of the fair, to the deepest, richest skin tones! Let’s get started!

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REVLON COLORBURST LIP BUTTER in PINK TRUFFLE ($6/WalMart)

  If I were to go in order of favorites, this would totally be my top pick. I have backups upon backups of this shade, for fear that they’ll discontinue it like one of my other faves, Macaroon, and it LOOKS like Fig Jam may be on it’s way out too! *sad face* But this is the perfect rosey-nude that just makes you look like you have gorgeous, perfectly pink, super hydrated and healthy lips. It’s always with me, and it’s one that I don’t even need a mirror to apply or touch up. It’s my ride or die.

ESSENCE LONGLASTING LIPSTICK in BARELY THERE ($3/ULTA)

  I don’t know that I believe the ‘long-lasting’ claim for this PARTICULAR shade, but maybe I just can’t tell because it almost perfectly matches my natural lip color. I DO have other shades, like ‘I Am Yours’ and ‘Natural Beauty‘ that do seem to last quite some time, so I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt. However for being a long wearing lipstick, I have to say that it’s VERY comfortable on the lips. You know how some can make your lips feel tight and dry? Yeah, not these. I wouldn’t go as far as to call them MOISTURIZING, but they definitely feel very nice.

RIMMEL LASTING FINISH by KATE MOSS LIPSTICK 08 ($4/drugstore.com)

  This is a beautiful dusty rose shade, that’s slightly lighter than my natural lip color, but still a great every day hue. I, personally, haven’t found these to be terribly long lasting, and I would highly recommend prepping your lips by exfoliating and maybe using a light balm underneath, especially if you’re dry because it can apply a little on the clingy side, but I still find this to be one I reach for quite often.

L’OREAL PARIS COLOR RICHE LIP BALM in NOURISHING NUDE ($6/WalMart)

  Yet another shade that I have multiple of – this and Tender Mauve – because they’re just THAT amazing. This definitely leans more to the sheer side, because it is, after all, a tinted lip balm. But my oh my is it beautiful. One thing I don’t really love is that the cap seems to be a little on the flimsy side for my liking, and I’ve cracked a few of them along the way. But when I’m having a no makeup day and just need a little hint of tint, these are ALWAYS nearby.

L’OREAL PARIS COLOR RICHE LE GLOSS in REALLY ROSE ($6/WalMart)

  I’m gonna call a dupe alert on this one! While I haven’t tried it myself yet, I’ve seen on Pinterest that this shade is a dupe for NARS Dolce Vita lip gloss. And if I can find a good drugstore dupe, you KNOW I’m all over that! If I had a real gripe about these glosses, it’s that they really have very little staying power. But the shade is just gorgeous, like you bit your lips and put a little gloss on (ya know, the old school way). GAWGEOUS!

ALMAY SMART SHADE BUTTER KISS LIPSTICK in NUDE LIGHT/MEDIUM ($6/Target)

  These are incredibly similar to the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters, probably because they’re made by the same company! Right down to the packaging, they’re nearly identical. BUT because Almay took pity on those of us who stand staring at a lipstick display like a deer in headlights, they broke it down to pinks, nudes, berries, and reds according to your skin tone. So light, light medium, and dark all have their own shades of the aforementioned colors. This doesn’t mean you have to stay within those guidelines of course! I fall into the light category, but prefer the shades in the light/medium. They allow your natural lip color to shine through, as they’re a bit more sheer than their Revlon cousins, and more like a balm than a lipstick. But nonetheless, there’s always this shade in my bag!

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I really hope this helps you guys! I know for the longest time I was clueless as to how to find that perfect shade, and then I discovered the term ‘YLBB‘ and took to none other than Pinterest! Do YOU have a favorite YLBB? Leave me a comment below!

And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito.

LOTS OF LOVE AND LIPPIES!

XOXO – Donna

TOP 5 UNDER-RATED BEAUTY PRODUCTS

 There are a lot of beauty products out there on the market. I mean A LOT. And when you’re standing in front of a seemingly endless array of them in your local drugstore or Walmart or Target or ULTA or Sephora, it can be insanely overwhelming.

My personal little trick is to make a list of what I’m looking for ahead of time, otherwise I’ll either leave with NOTHING but anxiety, or a whole mess of stuff I probably didn’t want or need in the first place.

But there are some products that tend to be overlooked, or highly under-rated. So I’m here today to bring you some of MY favorite under-rated beauty products!  Let’s go!

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GARNIER NUTRITIONISTE SKIN RENEW ANTI-DARK CIRCLE EYE ROLLER ($13)

 For my 27th birthday my sister made me a bag of anti-aging products (wise ass). This product was in there, and at first glance I was like ‘I’m only 27, I don’t need this stuff!‘. Well hold on a minute. This isn’t your typically eye roller. It’s tinted, so if you fall into the fair to light category, it’s basically a really nice, sheer concealer that can not only be used on the under eye area, but for that hormonal redness on either side of your nose, or to tone down a blemish that reared its ugly head in the overnight hours. If you’re more light to medium, it’s a great, subtle, every day under eye highlight, because it’s just enough to brighten that area without being all WHOA! It contains lemon essence, caffeine, and mineral pigments, which help to depuff and brighten the under eye area while nicely concealing any darkness.

VASELINE COCOA BUTTER LIP THERAPY ($4)

 You might be thinking ‘this is under-rated? I’ve been using this forever!’, but hear me out. I have a bunch of these – when I saw they were making little ones, I ran out and bought one of each – the original, the cocoa butter, the creme brûlée, and the rose tint one. But lately I’ve been using the cocoa butter one at night ON MY LASHES! Now I’m still testing this one out, but it’s been about 2 and a half weeks, maybe 3 weeks now, and I’ve noticed my lashes are growing longer and thicker, and I’ve had no more lash breakage and shedding like I had been seeing for quite some time. I’ve also been removing my mascara with coconut oil, so I’m sure that helps too. I’m going to give it another couple of weeks and then I will most certainly be updating you on whether or not it’s working for sure! I just take a very small amount (like what you apply to your lips) and warm it up on the back of my hand, and work it into my lashes right before bed. So far, so good!

WET N WILD ICON COLLECTION BRONZER in RESERVE YOUR CABANA ($3)

This is actually NOT a bronzer. It has no bronze pigment whatsoever. But it IS an absolutely beautiful HIGHLIGHTER. I’ve seen it swatched next to theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighting Powder and to be quite honest I can’t tell the difference. For $3 you get a GENEROUS amount of product. For how little you really need to use, it will take you a very long time to hit pan. I’m a die hard fan of Hard Candy So Baked Bronzer in Tiki ($9) for highlighting, but lately I’ve been reaching for the Wet n Wild more. It’s not too white, not too gold, it’s somewhere in between, and it’s great for every day use.

NYC SMOOTH SKIN LOOSE FACE POWDER in TRANSLUCENT ($3)

 This is for sure used for more than just setting your makeup or keeping shine at bay. By now I’m sure we’ve all heard of the terms ‘baking‘ and ‘cooking‘ when it comes to our makeup. It’s far from a new thing – it’s been around for years in the drag community. But if you’re familiar with highlighting and contouring at all, then let’s just refer to it as highlighting on steroids. Basically what you do is take a translucent loose powder like the NYC brand (you DO NOT need anything super expensive for this) and a damp makeup sponge like the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge ($6), and apply a thick layer under the eyes, down the center of your nose, or under your contour (along the top of your jawbone), to set, highlight, sharpen, and seriously define those areas to make them POP! Just let it sit for about 5 minutes, and sweep it away carefully with a fluffy brush. Done!

L’OREAL PARIS INFALLIBLE THE SUPER SLIM LIQUID EYELINER ($9)

 I’m not generally one for eyeliner. I may whip it out for special occasions, but that’s pretty much it. Maybe it’s because I’ve always struggled with applying it so I didn’t look ridiculous. And I’ve tried them all – pencil, kohl, liquid, gel, everything. This is pretty much the only one, out of the 40 some odd eyeliners I own that I actually enjoy using. And I NEVER see or hear it talked about on Pinterest, YouTube, other blogs, anywhere. It’s a liquid liner in pen form, with a super slim (duh) fine point applicator. It’s blacker than black, dries matte, stays put, and SOOOO easy to use! Thick lines, thin lines, barely there wing, full blown cat eye, this little liner has you covered! If I can do it, ANYONE can do it!

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Have you guys tried any of these? Or do you have some under-rated favorites of your own that you could recommend? Leave me a comment below!

And as always, go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito. There’s some exciting stuff coming that you won’t want to miss out on!

LOTS OF LOVE!!

XOXO – DONNA