get your game face on

Football season has officially started with the NFL opening game last night, and I couldn't be happier (Go Marshall and  go Panthers!). Football and all-pumpkin-everything combined with the perfect weather, easily make Fall my favorite season.

For some, football season means wearing your favorite jersey and heading out to a tailgate and game every weekend. For others, it means yummy food and beer in front of a TV. Regardless of your preference to watch the game you want to be focused on the game and having fun, not worried about how you look.

Football games often mean spending all day outside in the sun drinking, and the last thing you want is to head somewhere after the game with a face full of smudged makeup. You know the girls who wear a ton of makeup to sporting events and look silly? Don't be that girl. You aren't there to make a statement with your bold lip or smokey eye, you're there to have fun and cheer on your team (or at least pretend like it).

In order to ensure you go from tailgate to game to post-game festivities looking flawless, stick to minimal, neutral makeup with staying power. This way, you can feel good about spending all day (and night) supporting your team and beer-drinking habits and leave all cosmetic products at home.

game face necessities

My favorite long-lasting products for game time are:

1. Tarte BB Tinted Primer: I've said it before and I'll say it again: this stuff is amaze balls. It's lightweight (read: doesn't look like you're wearing makeup on your face), but covers extremely well. A little bit goes a long way and the best way to apply is to put a small amount on your fingers, rub your fingers of both hands together, then smear all over your face and blend.

2. The Body Shop Concealer Stick: It's no secret that this is my favorite concealer. The reason I like it so much is because it covers under-eye circles and blemishes well, so I don't need two different concealers. Apply this under eyes and on blemishes where needed, but don't worry too much about covering every little spot.

3. Josie Maran Waterproof Cheek Gelee: Waterproof blush means this stuff doesn't budge. It'll stay on until you take it off, even through the hottest day for a game. Apply lightly to get a healthy flush; once again, don't go overboard.

4. Benefit Hooola Bronzer: This is a recent purchase of mine from the #FlyBenefit vending machine at the airport, and I'm already obsessed! This bronzer is perfect for game day because there's no shimmer in it (matte=natural). Dust a little on your forehead, sides of nose, chin and hollows of your cheeks for a natural-looking glow.

5. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner in Black: Stila isn't lying when they say "Stay All Day" because this stuff doesn't budge. If you haven't mastered using liquid eyeliner (yet), not to worry. Draw small dashes as close to your lash line as possible then connect them and you'll have a straight line! Since I have small eyes I like to add a small flick to the outer corners of my eyes, think mini cat-eye, but it's still appropriate for game day.

Tip: if you have lighter eyes or hair, stick to brown instead of black - it looks much more natural.

6. Make Up Forever Aqua Cream for Eyes in Warm Beige: I definitely don't recommend wearing eye shadow to sporting events, especially if it's outside in the heat, because you're basically asking your shadow to crease and look horrible within a few hours. However, I do like to put a tiny bit of this on my brow bone and at the inner corner of my eye.

7. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara: No need to get waterproof mascara for football season, unless your favorite team loses a lot and it makes you sad.

These are my favorite picks to create a minimal game face that will last all day long!

summer skincare

Summer is a time filled with cold drinks, cookouts and zits. Between the killer trio of sunscreen, heat and sweat, breakouts are almost synonymous with summer - no matter who you are.

Since I'm not willing to give up pool days and can't control my body sweat, I've altered my skincare routine to ensure I'm not a greasy mess. 

the good summer trio

• Once a day (should be twice a day, but who's counting?) I use acne wash on my face and chest/back. While this would be a little harsh for my skin in cooler months, it's perfect for Summer because it has salicylic acid in it a.k.a. prevents breakouts. Psst - when washing your chest and back make sure to leave the cleanser on for a few minutes so it can get into your pores since the skin in these areas is thicker than the face.
• A few times a week I use Tea Tree Toner post face-washing and pre-moisturizing. Toner is an important step most people neglect in their skincare routines: it gets all the leftover grime and residue out of your pores that cleanser didn't grab. Tea tree is a natural acne fighter, but the best part is it makes your skin feel amazing.

• Lastly, I switch to a gel moisturizer during warmer months because my skin isn't as dry and doesn't need thick moisturizer combined with the North Carolina humidity. No thanks. It is still really important to use a light moisturizer in the Summer, even if you have oily skin, because it prevents your pores from over-producing oil (and preventing more pimples) - which is more prone to happen if you cleanse but don't moisturize. A gel moisturizer gives the perfect amount of moisture and makes for a great makeup base.

If you want to be super fancy and feel an amazing zingy-ness when you apply your skincare products, store them in the refrigerator. Not only does this prolong the product's life, but makes it feel super refreshing. Make room for actual groceries in there.

How do you change your skincare routine during Summer?

travel favorites

I have an obsession with any product that is travel-sized. Not only are the miniature-sized products cute, they are ideal for any trip!

Whether you're celebrating Memorial day with a "staycation" or flying somewhere with a carry-on, these TSA-approved products are my go-to's for traveling:

Herbal Essences Shampoo- I'm lucky and can get away without conditioner, but this shampoo leaves your hair feeling soft and is so much better than hotel shampoos!

Tarte BB Primer- Even though it's a primer, I always wear this BB cream by itself. It feels absolutely amazing on my skin (like silk), and provides the perfect amount of coverage! It also contains SPF 30 Sunscreen and lasts for 12-hours (no, really) so it's ideal for day-long Memorial weekend festivities. Can you say cookout?

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel- I like to switch up my moisturizer in Summer because my skin is oily and doesn't need as thick of a moisturizer. This one is perfect because it mattifies shine AND works as a primer.

The Body Shop Body Butter- I currently have this travel-sized body butter in 6 different scents - this one is Mango. I love it because it's more moisturizing than a lotion (perfect for after-sun) and won't melt in your bag. And it smells delicious!

Aquage Sea Salt Texturizing Spray- I don't like to travel with a blowdryer or straightener to warm destinations because they take up extra space in my bag, and not to mention fry your hair! I use this spray after the shower without brushing my hair, then scrunch and let it air dry. It gives a natural, beachy look and will make your boyfriend happy when it cuts your getting ready time down in half ;)

These are my favorite travel-sized products! Blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara tend to be small anyway so I always bring my regular ones but limit the amount. I stick to neutral shades - a black or brown eyeliner, plus gold and bronze eyeshadows and one lip color. Whether you're staying at home or going somewhere fun for Memorial Day Weekend, these are great products to have!

the great outdoors

Spring has officially sprung and I cannot get enough of it. When the weather is nice, I'll find any excuse to be outdoors and soaking up the sun - against my dermatologist's wishes. 

It's time for baseball and lacrosse games, music festivals, outside beer drinking, golf, porch-sitting and cookouts. This means it's also finally time to breakout creamy, lightweight makeup and put away the heavy winter makeup.

This weekend, I am going to The Masters in Augusta, Georgia. Not only will I be outside from sun up to sun down watching golf (so pumped!), it is going to be sunny, hot and humid. Whenever I go to a sporting event, especially one outside, I try to do minimal makeup. How silly would it look to show up to a golf tournament or any of the activities above wearing a full face of makeup? There is no sense in going all out with your makeup if you'll be outside for a few hours or more because you're going to be sweating, eating and drinking so it'll most likely melt or smudge - not cute.

In order to make sure you look naturally pretty all day and night long when spending time outside, pick products that are light and creamy; waterproof and products that contain SPF don't hurt either. This way even if you're sweating in the hot humidity your makeup will stay in tact without reapplication.

These are the beauty products I'll be wearing at The Masters:

All of these are creamy and lightweight, which means they won't leave my face too much

Stila Stay All Day HD Illuminating Beauty Balm - I'm bringing this because it's super light but provides a thin layer of coverage to blur imperfections. Plus it has SPF 30 which is a major plus. No one will be able to tell I'm wearing anything on my face but it will even out my skin tone while providing a dewey look.

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee - I've raved about it before, but I'm obsessed with this cheek color. It provides a sheer pop of natural-looking color and stays on literally all day long.

The Body Shop Concealer - I've used this thing down to a nub, but no worries I have two more waiting to be opened! I've been using this creamy concealer for a couple of years because it works on my under-eye bags as well as blemishes. You'll have to pry this from my cold, dead hands in order for me to stop using it.

Benefit They're Real! Mascara - It's not waterproof, but it stays on pretty dang well. I never have to worry about this mascara melting transferring to my eyelids and it gives my stubby eyelashes some serious length.

Tarte EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay Eyeliner - I am a HUGE fan of gel liners because they don't come off unless you want them to. It's also easier to get gel liner closer to your lash line compared to a pencil, which looks more natural. This one is a gorgeous bronze color I use often.

Estee Lauder Cream Shadow - I think I might have cried when I saw this cream shadow in Golden Sands was discontinued because it is the absolute best. It stays on all day and I use it as a base for other shadow, or on it's own and it looks awesome either way. It's the only light gold cream shadow I have found and liked because there aren't any pink tones. This Estee Lauder Shadow Paint might be the closest thing.

Spring is the perfect excuse to stock up on some creamy, long-lasting products you'll use throughout the Summer. Have a light hand when applying your makeup to ensure as natural of a look as possible, especially if the event is during the day. Now go have fun!

in-flight beauty

Ever thought you needed to bring beauty products with you on an airplane? Sounds silly, but it will make you feel and look a million times better once you land.

Flying, especially for an extended period of time, completely zaps all moisture from your skin due to the elevation and constant air conditioning blowing into your face. 

I make sure to pack a "beauty bag" (in a clear, ziplock bag with all products under 2 oz. of course) in my carry-on for every single flight I go on so I don't look like I got slapped with the ugly stick when I get off. Tomorrow I am flying to Amsterdam (!!!) and  want to make sure I can feel refreshed when arriving after a 10 hour red-eye flight.

In-flight beauty bag essentials:

travel-sized goodies

1. Moisturizer: This one contains Vitamin E so it's super-moisturizing so it's perfect for flying. I'll try to reapply before sleeping and before landing to put moisture back in my skin.

Lip/Cheek Stain: How cute is this mini benetint?! A stain can give your face life after a flight, so I'll dab some on my cheeks and lips before landing. It's a game-changer.

Concealer: This concealer also contains Vitamin E and also Marula Oil so it's packed with moisture. I love this creamy concealer for under-eye bags, and I'll also put some on my eyelids and under my noise to cover-up redness as well.

Deodorant: Do I need to explain?

Hand Cream: Yep, moisture again. This Hemp Hand Cream is insane - it makes even the driest hands feel smooth.

Face Wipe: I usually get travel-sized cleansing wipes, but I got this free Puffs one so I'm going to give it a try.

Lip Balm: I prefer Vaseline, but it is a personal preference. It's really important to keep your lips moisturized while flying, especially after drinking/eating/sleeping!

Comb: Unless you naturally have perfect bed-head hair, I recommend running at least your fingers through your hair before landing.

Not pictured: mini perfume and toothbrush/toothpaste.

There's nothing worse than seeing yourself in the airport bathroom after a long flight and having to scramble to make yourself look like you didn't just sit in an airplane for hours. So splash some water on your face in the plane bathroom, use the right products, and arrive looking and feeling tip-top!

purple lips or die

Do not fear purple lipstick. Or, do not fear lipstick in general if you're anything like me (the fear is real).

I have always loved the dark lips for the Fall/Winter, but have only been brave enough to sport red lips on occasion -- and by 'occasion' I mean a couple times a year.

I'm trying to be more open to lipstick, so I picked up The Body Shop's new Colour Crush Lipstick in 240 Damson in Distress. It says 'matte' but I would say it's more 'almost-matte'. This means it is not a shiny lipstick and is mostly flat but has a touch of sheen to it -- it's pretty normal for "matte" lipsticks to have a tiny bit of sheen to them.

Not too dark, not too bright - "all you need is a light jacket!" Kidding.

Verdict: I'm obsessed! The color looks super dark and plain in the tube, but the purple/dark fuchsia/I-don't-even-know color really comes alive once it's applied. And as always, it's important to take it easy on the rest of your face when rocking a bold lip.

Have you tried dark lips for Fall yet?

friday fave

Concealer is my secret weapon. It's so underrated -- it covers stubborn zits, masks under-eye bags, counteracts redness and is even a great eyeshadow or lipstick base. 

This concealer from The Body Shop is my favorite because it does literally everything, is so easy to use and is so conveniently-sized. I hear of "the best under-eye concealer" or "the best concealer for blemishes" or "the best concealer for red spots." Ain't nobody got time for 3 different concealers. This concealer does it all: I use it to cover my under-eye bags because it is smooth and easy to blend, but it's also thick enough to cover my blemishes without being cake-y. Also, if I'm traveling and didn't pack primer I'll use concealer as a base for eyeshadow or lipstick to make the color pop and stay on longer.

Buttery-smooth 

I carry this little nub around with me everywhere! 

What's your favorite concealer?

brushes need loving, too

Ever thought about taking care of your makeup brushes? I usually forget to because my brushes don't ever look that dirty, but there is actually a TON of gross stuff that builds up and they need to be cleaned. I clean my brushes once every couple of weeks months, which isn't often enough but at least I'm doing it...right? 

Cleaning makeup brushes is always a lot easier and less time consuming than I think of it to be. All it takes is a mild soap/cleanser, warm water, and overnight drying.

I use Philosophy Purity cleanser because that's what I use to wash my face and it's super gentle but effective. Use a pea-sized glob of cleanser and "massage" the brush with warm water.

Let the drying process begin

You want to really use your fingers to shampoo all of the gunk out from your brushes (note: it is very satisfying to watch all the brown/pink water come out of the brush from your makeup). Once the water runs clear, squeeze all of the water out and lay down FLAT to dry overnight. 

That's it! It feels amazingly good to use a clean brush on your face even if you can't always see the difference.

p.s. All of my super soft brushes are from The Body Shop and liner brush from MAC.