La Vanila Deluxe Mini Roller-Ball Set ($34)

LaVanila has a Deluxe Mini Roller-Ball set available on their website. I think I spritz a new one of these on me whenever I walk into a Sephora store. My personal obsession is with the Vanilla Coconut fragrance, because if I’m not smelling like a tropical vacation, I’m just not happy.. I just can’t get enough. They are lightweight, but not lacking in a dynamic scent experience that’s free of petrochemicals, phthalates, propelyne glycol, mineral oils, silicones, synthetic dyes, sulfates and parabens.

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette ($50)

When Urban Decay released the original Naked Palette, it was the hottest item in town. Stores couldn’t keep them on their shelves and people were selling them on Ebay for redonkulous prices. I love the original palette, as a matter of fact I have one for myself and one for my kit. The Naked 2 palette is the palette that read my inner monologue of what could have been done to improve the original- a few warmer and cooler shade selections and a true matte black. You can truly do anything with this palette and it comes with a sassy cruelty-free double-ended brush and a mini lip gloss.

Stila Long Wear Liquid Lip Color ($22)

Being the terrible lipstick wearer that I am, the Stila Long Wear Liquid Lip Color was an absolute godsend. I love lipstick. I love it so much. However, I am awful at wearing it. My best friend is not, she has the ability to eat an entire meal lipstick intact- me, on the other hand, I end up forgetting I have it on and touching my face or rubbing my lips together too much and it either completely disappears or ends up everywhere. Enter stage left- this long wearing vitamin E and avocado oil enriched wonder. It’s everything you love about a stain (durability and ease) and everything you love about a lipstick (opaque color, matte finish) all rolled into one. If you are looking for an ultra bright color pop- I recommend Fuchsia.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips ($9)

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips are the bee’s knees. They are one of those tiny indulgences that I find it so hard to buy for myself but they are the first thing I reach for when it’s gift-giving time. As a make-up artist who also styles hair, these strips’ durability was pleasantly surprising and for my friends who have a less handsy job than I do they managed to get about a week+ worth of wear on their fingers (and some even longer on their toes!).  My personal favorite prints are: Mod About You, Check It Out, Laced-Up and Kitty Kitty.

Life-Flo Pure Argan Oil ($30/4oz)

A few months ago my hairstylist knocked some common sense into me, she reminded me that Argan Oil and all of it’s benefits for hair, skin and nails didn’t have to cost a lot. If you walk into any beauty store and find organic, cold-pressed argan oil you will be looking at around $50 for half as much as the Life-Flo 40z size or it’s a product that contains a small percentage of actual oil and mostly fillers or other instant effect products to increase the viscosity but that have no added benefits. Argan oil contains loads of vitamin E and essential fatty acids- it’s a superfood for the hair, skin and nails. You can apply it on dry skin, cuticles, scars, hair, etc. I like to add a small amount to my palms and use it to add shine, manageability and fly-away taming to my hair. The suggested retail price is $30, however I’ve found it on sale for around $20 or less pretty frequently at my local health food store.

Origins Modern Friction ($38)

Origins Modern Friction is seriously a miracle product. It’s hands down the best exfoliator I’ve used in a long time. It’s not an every day product, you’ll want to limit your use to 1-2 times a week but the results are incredible. Skin is able to regenerate and breathe the way that it should. It’s got a rice starch base so it’s gentle and leaves minimal residue behind and it’s infused with lemon oil to add instant radiance to the skin. I recommend this to all of my clients who’s skin is having a hard time transitioning between seasons. For more information and usage directions, please visit the Origins website.

Stay tuned for more beauty info, product recommendations and tips!

This photo is by Green Apple Photography.

Jack Matranga and Brooke White (my Girls with Glasses counterpart) released a new EP today. You are going to love it. Support Brooke and buy it! Here’s the link.

This photo is shot by the dynamic Trever Hoehne.

Special thanks to Brooke White for making the circle garland, Sariah Clonts Zebra Artwork, Natty By Design for the dresser, and Angela Kohler for the watercolor.

More credits: Ben the Butterfly Guy for the butterfly, Wallpaper – Sherwin Williams, Sharon Montrose Giraffe Print, gift from Promise Tangeman.

photo via Alt. Summit flckr

For more Girls With Glasses videos go here.