FIVE FAVE! | Brown Lipsticks

The cooler weather here in Atlanta has me so excited for all things fall.  Some of my favorite aspects of fall beauty are warm eyeshadows (hello cranberry!), dark nail polishes, and brown lipsticks.  While I personally feel like anyone can pull off brown lipstick, some are dubious.  I decided to dig through my stash and pull out my five favorite browns; the varying degrees of shade and coverage mean there's a brown here for everyone!  

MAC Photo - Golden Brown (Satin)
This is a shade for those who want a bold true brown.  Photo can also be mixed with lighter lipsticks to add a brown tone to them.  Amanda Valentine on Project Runway All Stars wore The Best nude lipstick combo and, thanks to the power of Twitter, she revealed it to be a mix of MAC Photo and Myth.

MAC Double Shot - Full-bodied Mocha Cream (Amplified)
This is a gorgeous, luminous plummy brown.  I love it not only for the color, but also for the name which makes me think of delicious coffee treats from Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks!  If I was playing Lipstick Survivor (c) Liz // BeautyReductionista, Double Shot would be the one I'd forsake all others for.

L'Oreal Brazil Nut - Copper Brown Nude (Colour Riche)
If Revlon's Toast of New York is a little too russet red for you, try Brazil Nut!  The finish is slightly sheer, allowing your natural lip color to peek through, and the color itself is more desaturated.

MAC Shitake - Brown (Glaze)
This is a lovely sheer brown with a hint of sheen.  Glaze is the perfect description for the finish!  [I'm gutted that this was LE!  I thought it was permanent until I went googling for a link.  This color has been brought back a time or two, so if you don't want to scour eBay, it might be for sale in a future collection as a repromote.  I'm so sorry I included an LE item!]

MAC Fresh Brew - Creamed Coffee (Lustre)
This is the sheerest member of what I've come to lovingly think of as MAC's Coffee Shop Collection (Fresh Brew, Double Shot, Creme in Your Coffee), and was a gift from my friend Sarah // tatt2sandwarpaint.  This is a great starter brown for anyone looking to dip their toe into the trend without committing to full-on tater skin realness. ;)

Top to Bottom: Photo, Double Shot, Brazil Nut, Shitake, Fresh Brew

Top to Bottom: Fresh Brew, Shitake, Brazil Nut, Double Shot, Photo

What's your favorite brown lipstick?  What aspect of fall makeup gets you excited for the change in season?  

Beauty Influencer’s Sunday Column Vol.15: ​​How do you overcome blogger’s block?

How do you overcome blogger’s block?

LILY | Malaysia | Chloe Ash
When I have blogger’s block, I usually just go offline for a while and enjoy what reality has to offer. For me, personally, the block is because I’m uninspired, and maybe a little burned out. A break is usually a welcome, and most of the time, it takes shorter than expected to get some inspiration to write again. Nowadays however, I have content to write, but just don’t have the time to do it. That’s entirely another type of block. LOL!

ANNE | Germany | Linda, Libra, Loca
I don’t think I ever experienced a severe case of “bloggers block” (knock on wood!), but I have had days where I am completely exhausted and lacking all inspiration. To keep up with my schedule I plan my posts three months in advance, rotating beauty, skincare and random stuff so I don’t get stuck in a rut. And if life gets in the way I still have quality content prepared to see me through at least a week or two without the pressure of having to write, which is the best way to get all inspired again.

TRACY | USA | Swaybeauty
I actually hit a wall about a month ago due to beauty overload. I took a little break and started my “Married to a Chef” series. Having those posts at the ready lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. After the first two went out I found myself more at ease and able to refocus my attention back to beauty related posts. I think taking a break is so important for your mind, body and spirit. I don’t think you should ever have to apologize for doing so because after all we’re only human.

KRISTEN | USA | Glambunctious
I just take a break.  Sometimes it’s a a few days away from social media, or a week off from blogging.  I focus on other areas of my life and when the magic returns, I get to writing!  I don’t really think of it as a block or lack of inspiration; it’s just a time where my brain power is needed elsewhere.

SHEILA | Canada | Maddy Loves
I generally have “moments” of inspiration and then I write, write, write, often several blog posts in one sitting. It’s really hard to motivate myself to write if I have writer’s block, so I generally go away and do something else, or I scroll through my folder of folders of stuff I need to review, hoping to get some inspiration. I might also read other blogs, hoping I’ll get bitten by the writing bug. If all else fails, I might just give up. Blogging is a hobby anyways, so I try not to stress myself out too much by it!

JAA | Thailand | Hello Jaa
I usually just let it be. Sometimes I even think of it as a blessing because I’ll have more time to spend with my friends and family doing “life” things. I’ll try to stay off social media, too, if possible. I find that when I’m happy, I’ll have a lot of energy, and ideas will flow naturally. I also find it easier and more fun to write about things I’m genuinely happy and excited about! 

[Interested in joining BISC Network? Send your request to jaa*at*hellojaa.com]

EMPTIES! #10 | August 2015

Here's what I finished in August!

Dr. Bronner's All-One Hemp Pure-Castile Bar Soaps
LOVE these!!  If you find bar soap drying, try one of these!  They smell so good and leave your skin soft without a hint of tightness.  I like to toss the empty wrappers in my drawers to scent my clothes.  These castile bar soaps also make great makeup brush cleaners!

Living Proof Full Shampoo & Conditioner
I've taken these 2 oz minis on 2 trips and both Jason and I used them.  I felt like the shampoo smelled really nice but didn't do anything supremely volumizing for my hair.  The conditioner was above average but again, not very va-va-voom in the volume department.  [I finally found the OGX Coconut Milk minis at Walgreens, so those are going with me on my next trip!]

MAC Lightful Marine-Bright Formula Cleanser
This was a delightful cream cleanser that did a great job of removing makeup and oil without stripping my skin or causing breakouts.  I would definitely repurchase this.

Maybelline Color Show Nail Lacquer in Lust for Lilac
Such a favorite for me!  I've painted my nails this color so often, the brush is now barely able to reach the lacquer goodness.  Time to repurchase!

Maybelline The Rocket Volum Express Waterproof Mascara
I started out hating The Rocket, but grew to like it.  It is more difficult to remove because it's waterproof, but it's spiky football rubber brush does a damn fine job of separating lashes and keeping them lifted throughout the day.

OGX Coconut Milk Shampoo
This is one of my favorite shampoos ever.  It hydrates the hair without weighing it down or making it prematurely oily.  This is my night time shampoo when I just want a gentle cleanse and a touch of moisture.  I've already repurchased a full size and the travel size of this and the matching conditioner (also a love).

Sunday Riley Good Genes Serum and Treatment
My friend Sarah sent me this, along with some other amazing makeup goodies that didn't work for her, and I was thrilled!  I have the full sized version and love it.  It's a lactic acid serum that promises to do everything from plump fine lines to reduce hyper pigmentation (which, in concert with Luna, it has done dramatically well!).  Unfortunately, I think this mini version got overly hot in my suitcase as it smelled a bit unpleasant.  It smelled fine the first time I used it before we went to NYC.  I also think the plastic packaging didn't help as it had that trademark synthetic scent.  The full sized version is housed in glass - and has never left the confines of my bathroom shelf.  Even though this mini had a bit of a mishap, I highly recommend the full sized version!

Ulta Buttercream Cupcake Beauty Smoothie Shower Gel, Shampoo & Bubble Bath | Review
A must have if you love decadent gourmand scents!  Sidenote: they've released their Fall collection of Beauty Smoothies!  PUMPKINZZZ!

What have you finished lately?