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!

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!

mini me

Last week I impulsively placed an order at Sephora.com because I won a free, mini Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow. I've been wanting to try a new BB/CC cream lately, but haven't been able to decide on which one just from reading reviews. I'm also extremely indecisive so any type of "sampler" really appeals to me. 

already obsessed with this little box of happniess

I decided to get the BB Buzz because I didn't want to commit $50 to a BB cream I hadn't used multiple times before, and I love to sample products. This little box is perfect! First of all, I am obsessed with rose gold right so the rose gold packaging is awesome. Also, I like all the brands in the box but have never had anything from Dr. Jart + or boscia before, and have only tried a product or two from Tpo Faced, Stila and Smashbox. This BB box was only $25! If you do the math (I did) you get more ounces of product than one standard tube of BB cream (1 oz.) for half the price - great deal.

The BB creams in this box are like a "one-size fits all" so it's really only for gals with fair skin. I am going to try the boscia BB cream first because it seems to be the tannest one and I still have a faint tan leftover from Summer (tear). I'm really hoping I fall in love with at least one of these so I know which one to purchase in full-size when I'm out.

I redeemed my Sephora points to get a sample of Benefit Benetint, a classic I've always wanted to try, and also picked up three perfume samples. Everything I got is miniature and perfect for traveling!

lust at first sight

I am completely lusting over Smashbox's CC Cream. I want it. I have to have it. 

I have been using my current BB cream generously so I can run out and have an excuse to drop $42 on this CC cream. It's a ridiculous amount of money for a tiny bottle of essentially tinted face moisturizer, and I think this may be a contributing factor to the reason why I feel like I can't live without it (even though I don't even own it yet).

I've read countless reviews of all the best CC creams and tried on Smashbox's CC cream one day at Sephora. It had good coverage, but also felt lightweight on my skin and my face didn't turn into an oil factory like BB/CC creams usually do! I am trying to justify to myself that spending so much money on CC cream when there are a lot of cheaper options, but I have been using a cheap drugstore BB cream and it does nothing for my skin.

Always on my mind now-a-days

I am so in lust with this product because I actually think it will help to even out my skin tone and actually provide coverage. I guess there's only one way to find out...

Has anyone used a CC cream and seen results?

"hire me" beauty

I had my first Big Girl interview yesterday! (Big Girl = job)

I was really nervous for it. I wasn't nervous about what to say or what to wear, but what the right move for my hair and makeup was. I think I nailed it -- the interview AND the beauty. 

It's difficult to decide how to do your hair and makeup for an interview because you don't want to look too conservative and boring, but you also don't want to look like you spent more time preparing your beauty regime than your interview material.

Strike a balance by erring on the conservative side, but still aim for pretty! Looking good will also give you a confidence boost that will show when you're speaking. Here's what I did:

• Aim for simple: this is not the time to experiment with hairstyles or makeup! I wore my short hair plain-- down and straight. Wearing your hair in a clip half-up, or in a low non-messy bun works too (especially for my curly-haired friends).

• Keep it neutral: only use makeup products that enhance your natural beauty-- we're going for the "no-makeup-makeup" look here. This means no color. No blue eyeliner, no red lipstick, no shimmer. I wore BB cream, concealer, a hint of blush, thin brown eyeliner, mascara and lip balm.

• Less is more: if you're deciding whether to add more eyeliner, blush, or whatever the answer is: don't. Even if you feel like your face is more bare than usual, you want the interviewer to be listening to you and not be distracted by your looks. Put enough makeup on so you look pretty and feel confident, but don't overdo it.

Have you ever given thought to interview-appropriate hair/makeup before?